B Gamnom firing case: KNF-N trio arrested
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 25 2021:
A combined team of Imphal West police commando and 15 Assam Rifles arrested three cadres of KNF (Nehlun) who are said to be directly involved in the indiscriminate firing towards a funeral gathering at B Gamnom village on October 12 in which three people including a minor were killed and two others injured.
The arrested cadres are identified as Seigoulun Singsit (20) son of late Paokhomang Singsit of K Phoipi (Motbung) village, Henminlun Misao alias Kevin (29) son of late Luminthang Misao of Kangchup Ponlen village and Hentinseh Singsit alias SP (30) son of Zanglam Singsit of Motbung Phoipi Veng, all under Kangpokpi district.
The combined security team recovered one 9mm pistol, five live rounds, one .32 pistol along three live rounds and mobile phones.
Producing all the arrested cadres along with the recovered arms and ammunition before media persons at his conference hall on Monday, SP Dr S Ibomcha said that the combined team led by additional SP Amarjit Lamabam, DSP (CDO) Y Kishorchand and commando OC inspector P Achouba along with troops of 15 Assam Rifles conducted search operation at Moidangpok and New Keithelmanbi area on getting specific information about the presence of some KNF (N) cadres.
During the search operation, the combined team nabbed Seigoulun Singsit at about 9.30pm on Sunday from the intersection point of Moidangpok and New Keithelmanbi.
During initial questioning, police came to know that Seigoulun is a cadre of KNF (N) and involved in kidnapping for ransom, extortion from public and looting from vehicles plying along NH - 2 road under the command of self-styled vice chairman of the outfit Mangsat Haokip.
On further questioning, Seigoulun disclosed that he alone with six other cadres of KNF (N) were directly involved in firing towards a funeral gathering at B Gamnom village on October 12 around 11.30am under the command of self-styled vice chairmen of the outfit James Kipgen and Mangsat Haokip.
From the disclosure of Seigoulun that two more KNF (N) cadres directly involved in the B Gamnom village firing incident are at Motbung and Sapermeina area, the combined security team rushed to the area immediately and arrested Henminlun Misao at about 3.30am and Hentinseh Singsit at about 4.30am from their respective houses.
The combined team also recovered one 9mm pistol with five live rounds from Henminlun Misao and one .32 pistol with two live rounds from Hentinseh, Dr S Ibomcha said.
According to SP Ibomcha, all arrested KNF (N) cadres disclosed that they were directly involved in the B Gamnom firing incident and the heinous act was carried out by a total of seven cadres of the outfit including the arrested trio.
One day prior to the firing incident, KNF (N) vice chairman James Kipgen called up all the seven cadres and they reached a village near B Gamnom.
Actual reason for firing towards the funeral gathering was not disclosed by James Kipgen but it was believed that the firing was done as part of restriction on funeral of two KNLF cadres of B Gamnom village killed during an encounter with security forces on October 10, Dr S Ibomcha added.
Meanwhile, all the arrested KNF (N) cadres were produced before a court on Monday as per a case taken up by Patsoi PS and the court remanded all of them to nine days in police custody.
According to PRO IGAR (S), series of joint operations were conducted by Assam Rifles and Manipur Police on October 24 and 25 that led to the arrest of the trio and seizure of two pistols.
Initial enquires revealed that the three insurgents were involved in the incident at B Gamnom Village in which innocent villagers including one child were gunned down.
During the operation one 9mm Pistol with magazine with nve live rounds of 9mm and one Point 32 Pistol with magazine and three live rounds were also seized.
Further investigation is under progress, the PRO added.