Imphal, December 11 2008: UNIDENTIFIED PERSONS who hurled and exploded a hand grenade at the NRL oil pump located at Sagolband Bijoy Govinda Leikai around 6 pm of December 2 have turned out to be a group of persons led by a rifleman of Manipur Rifles who have links with the KCP-Wanglen group.

A team of Imphal west district police commandos led by OC Inspector Krishnatombi and SI Sanajaoba arrested the MR personnel around 6.30 pm yesterday from the JN hospital crossing at Porompat.

On interrogation, police discovered that the MR rifleman identified as Thingujam Bijen (25), son of Th Shamu of Bashi-khong, was personally involved in the grenade attack at the oil pump.

The police commando team also arrested another accomplice of Bijen last night itself.

Bijen is a rifleman of 5th Bn MR stationed at Khongjarol.

His rifleman no.is 05066448 .

The other arrested person has been identified as Sorokhaibam Anand (22), son of S Ibomcha @ Ibosana of Sekmaijin Khunou, presently staying at New Checkon.

According to police, on receiving a specific information that some persons called some oil pump owners/representatives to the JN Hospital crossing area, police personnel were deployed in the area.

At that time, the black colour Bajaj Pulsor (MN-05-0628) which was used in the incident of lobbing hand grenade at the NRL oil pump was seen coming ridden by Thingujam Bijen.

Stopping the motorcycle, police interrogated the rider, who then disclosed that he himself had lobbed the bomb.

He also revealed that Sorokhaibam Anand rode the motocycle on the day of attack.

On further interrogation, it was revealed that KCP Wanglen Khuman bought the Bajaj Pulsor for them.

Bijen established contacts with Wanglen Khuman about 4/5 months ago.

Since then, he has been working hand in hand with Wanglen Khuman.

He also disclosed that the hand grenade was given to him by two young women near the Hotel Excellency on Tiddim Road.

Police try to identify the two women.

Police said, Wanglen Khuman had given Rs 15,000 to Thingujam Bijen as reward for the bomb attack at the oil pump.

Out of that amount, Bijen paid Anand Rs 3,000.Both the arrested persons have been handed over to Porompat police station.