Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 18 2009:
A combined force of security personnel arrested a cadre of the Puranthaba group of KCP-MC's Lamyanba Khuman faction, who is involved in the killing of the driver of Executive Engineer of Loktak Development Authority (LDA) along with arms from Ngaikhong Khunou in Bishnupur district last night.
Parading the arrested cadre identified as Laishram Shyamchandra Singh alias Bishwajit alias Shyam (31) s/o Amungou of Ngaikhong Khunou before mediapersons today, SP of Bishnupur District Jayanta Singh informed that Shyamchandra was arrested by a combined team of Bishnupur Police Commandos and 4/8 GR personnel during an operation launched on the basis of a special tip off and recovered one 9mm pistol (Beretta) and three live rounds of ammunition from his possession.
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The operation was launched as a follow up action to the incident of shooting at the driver which led to his death after a failed abduction attempt of the EE by unidentified armed persons in connection with monetary demand on July 15 evening, the SP said.
It may be recalled here that in the evening of July 15 at around 4.20, EE Oinam Ibopishak (55) of Oinam Mamang Leikai was inspecting a work site at Oinam Lairenkabi along with his driver Yumnam Manichandra (40) of Khurai Nandeibam Leikai when some unidentified armed persons tried to abduct him.
As they failed in their attempt, the armed persons opened fire and left Manichandra critically injured.
He succumbed to the injuries on the same night at Shija Hospital where he was admitted for treatment.
The SP said that Shyamchandra could be arrested after the public who are infuriated over the conduct of killing the innocent driver revealed the identity of the UG cadres involved.
The UG group has demanded Rs 30 lakhs from the fund sanctioned to LDA for payment of compensations in connection with clearing of Phumdis, the SP added.
During interrogation, Shyamchandra disclosed that he is the finance in-charge of Bishnupur district of his armed group and the driver was killed while opening firing in an attempt to abduct the EE at the instruction of one self styled sergeant major Sangai alias Lemba of the armed outfit, the SP informed, adding that following disclosure, efforts are being made to arrest three other cadres who were also involved in the incident.
The SP further conveyed that these armed cadres have been utilising poor women including widows and drug addicts in their extortion activities.