Abducted student rescued, eight arrested; Ops continue
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 09 2023:
Imphal West district police on Saturday rescued a student, who was kidnapped by armed miscreants for ransom demand of Rs 15 lakh.
In connection with the kidnap case, Police also arrested eight people allegedly belonging to the armed KCP (PWG) and seized several arms and two vehicles from their possession.
Addressing a press conference in this regard at his office here on Saturday, Imphal West SP Ksh Shivakanta said that Imphal police station received a complaint on Saturday around 1 am from one Laishram Shyamchand Singh (44), son of the late L Shamu of Ngaikhong Siphai, Bishnupur district.
In the complaint, Shyamchand reported the kidnapping of his lone son, Laishram Chinglen (22) from DM College of Science, New Boys' Hostel on Friday around 1.30 pm.
Shyamchand further revealed that he received a phone call from his son s contact number later on that day, instructing him and his wife to come to Kamakhya Pemton College, Hiyangthang by 3 pm with a ransom amount of Rs 15 lakh for securing the safe release of his son.
The abductors also threatened that failure to comply would result in the death of his son.
Acting on the report and a tip-off, Imphal West district police team raided Yumnam Huidrom Makha Leikai, under the jurisdiction of Wangoi police station on Saturday around 2 am.
During the raid, the abducted student was found inside a house belonging to one Asem Chaoba (63) alongside four kidnappers, with an additional four kidnappers sitting inside two vehicles nearby.
Employing necessary force, the police team successfully handled the situation, ensuring the safe rescue of the victim.
Furthermore, all eight kidnappers were apprehended during the operation.
The arrested kidnappers have been identified as Khwairakpam Rajen (24) son of late Kh Thoibi of Churachandpur Khuga Tampak, Sukham James (23) son of S Chaothoi of Churachandpur Singhat, Moirangthem Amarjit (25) son of M Bokul of Moirang Tronglaobi, Taorem Rohit (23) son of T Naocha of Moirang Lamkhai, Kakyenpaibam Hemjit (21) son of K Manglem of Ngairangbam, Sandham Romen (36) son of S Rajen of Samurou Makha Leikai, Khagembam Dayananada (23) son of Kh Nilamani of Lilong Haoreibi Awang Leikai, and Sarungbam Umananda (34) son of S Raja of Lilong Chajing Haoreibi.
From preliminary enquiry, it has been revealed that the kidnappers belong to KCP (PWG) group and Sarungbam Umananda is the commander of the group.
He is working under the guidance of Lamyanba Khuman.
The police team also seized one Ghatak Assault Rifle along with one magazine and 16 live rounds, one AK-47 rifle with one magazine and 10 rounds, one .32 pistol with one magazine and six rounds, 13 mobile handsets, one Samurai sword, one red colour Honda Civic car (No MN05A 5531), and one numberless white colour Maruti Swift car.
The kidnappers along with the seized materials have been handed over to Imphal PS, the SP said, while also appealing to all concerned to surrender the snatched weapons to the nearest police stations.
Following report of arrests, a large number of women stormed the gate of the Imphal West district police station and demanded the immediate release of the arrested persons.
However, the Superintendent of Police, Imphal West informed representatives of the women in agitation that the arrested persons would be produced before the court after being registered an FIR against them, a woman leader who attended the meeting with the SP told newspersons at the gate of the police station.
The agitators also were informed to make bail applications for the arrested persons in the court, she added.
On the other hand, a joint team of state police, Gorkha Rifles and CRPF led by SP Ksh Shivakanta carried out a search operation in the surrounding areas of Ngairangbam village on Saturday morning around 4.45 o'clock.
During the operation, the security team recovered one 9mm SMG carbine with magazine, one 9 mm pistol with magazine, one country-made pistol with magazine, four 36 HE hand-grenades with detonators, four Chinese hand grenades, one tear gas shell, one stun grenade, one launching tube, one 84mm illumination shell, four live rounds of shotgun, and two live rounds of 12 bore, which were kept hidden in a canal.
Verification of the residents were also conducted in the operation, which concluded at around 7.30 pm.
Another joint team of state police and CRPF led by DIG (Range-I) NN Herojit and SP Imphal East Dr S Ibomcha also carried out search operation in Taorem, Sarouthel, Morok lngkhol and Ngairangbam village areas on Saturday from around 4.40 am.
However, there is no report of any seizure or arrest made in the operation.
In another operation in Thoubal district, a joint security team seized one 7.62mm SLR rifle, one .303 Rifle with one magazine, two 36 HE hand grenades with detonator, two Chinese walkie-talkie sets, three 40 mm lathode bombs, one tube launcher, two armed rings, five stun shells, one tear smoke shell, one stinger hand grenade and one grenade key.
An unauthorised bunker was also dismantled in Churachandpur district.
Police also arrested one arms smuggler from Khabam Lamkhai Bazar on Saturday and recovered one .32 pistol, one mobile phone and one camouflage side bag from his possession.