Families of nabbed 'KNF-N cadres' reject police claim
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 03 2021: The families of the three people, who were arrested in connection with a shooting incident at B Gamnom village on October 12 wherein 3 people were killed, have claimed that the arrested people are drug users and not cadres of the proscribed Kuki National Front-Nehlun (KNF-N) as branded by the police.

Addressing a press meet held at Manipur Press Club here Wednesday, Kakai Singsit, an elderly family member, said that Hentinsch Singsit, Seigoulun Singsit and Henminlun Misao, who were arrested by a combined team of Imphal West Police and Assam Rifles, have nothing to do with the shooting incident at B Gamnom on October 12 .

Revealing that the three arrested people are, in reality, drug users; Kakai informed that Hentinseh Singsit is from K Phoipi, Motbung in Kangpokpi district.

He had been staying at New Life rehabilitation centre in Imphal for the last 4 months and returned home on October 15.Both the family and a media team had gone to the rehab centre and confirmed with the officials present that Hentinseh had been staying at the centre till October 15.Meanwhile, Seigoulun is a juvenile, born on November 14, 2003 and is a drug user as well.

However, police recorded his age as 20years old, which is not only a violation of human rights but also the Juvenile Justice Act, Kakai remarked.

"On the other hand, Henminlun Misao is from Pangmol Village.

It is difficult to believe his involvement in the incident, and every Pangmol villager believes in his innocence, as Henminlun has never visited Gamnom before.

He is also unaware of its location.

Additionally, the people of G Gamnom area could be enquired if they have any knowledge of the three arrested people," Kakai said and urged the ruling government and the media to help uncover the truth, while demanding unconditional release of the three innocent people.

Hentinseh Singsit, a 30-year-old drug user from Motbung of Kangpokpi district was arrested from his residence on October 25 by a combined team of Imphal West police and 15 Assam Rifles.

He, along with two others, was charged for involvement in a shootout on October 12, which resulted in the death of three civilians, including a child.

However, it was found out that Hentiseh Singsit, who was allegedly arrested with a .32 pistol and a mobile phone and charged as a Kuki National Front (Nehlun) cadre, is a drug user who was lodged at the New Life rehab centre in Imphal West district from October 6 and had left the centre on October 15.Kakai Singsit, Hentiseh's uncle said that his nephew is neither related to the alleged shooting nor is he a cadre of the proscribed outfit.

"Hentinseh is not someone who is endowed with wings and flew from the rehab centre, committed the crime and flew back again to the centre.

If that is not the case, there is no way that he can be involved in the crime.

The police should meticulously check if he has got wings or not," said Kakai, questioning his nephew's involvement in a crime committed on October 12 vis-a-vis his stay at the rehab centre until October 15.On October 25, SP Imphal West Dr S Ibomcha had announced that the three KNF (N) cadres, arrested after a night-long joint operation, had allegedly disclosed their involvement under the command of self-styled Chairman of the KNF, James Kipgen and Vice-Chairman Mangsat Haokip.

On his part, chief minister N Biren , who also holds the Home portfolio, had detailed the incident in a social media post on October 25, and congratulated Imphal West police commando Inspector P Achouba Meetei, who led the team and a column of 15 Assam Rifles.

"Suspected Kuki civilian killers arrested, well done state police and AR personnel," the CM wrote on his Facebook page.

The police identified the arrested as KNF(N) cadres Seigoulun Singsit (20), Henminlun Misao alias Kevin (29) and Hentinseh Singsit (30).Of these, Seigoulun was the first to be arrested by the police on October 24.Hentiseh's uncle Kakai Singsit said that Seigoulun is also another drug addict and it was only last month that his family came to know that he was using heroin.

"Our family decided to keep him in rehab but kept on hold due to financial problems.

He never moves out from the village.

On October 22, he told his mother that he will be joining a Bible camp at Kangpokpi and left home.

Then we came to know of his arrest on October 25, much to our surprise," Kakai said.

Alleging that the boys are known drug addicts in the Motbung area, Kakai said the police were using them as scapegoats instead of arresting those who are involved in the killings.

"They should be released at the earliest," he added.

On October 12, three villagers, including an 8-year old, were killed and two injured, including a 2-year-old, after suspected militants opened fire on a group of people attending a condolence service at the B Gamnom village in the Kangpokpi district of Manipur.

The villagers were gathered at the B Gamnom ground for the condolence meeting of four deceased cadres of Kuki National Liberation Army (KNLA), who were slain on October 10 by security forces in Hingojang, an area close to B Gamnom village.

A press statement by KNF (N) publicity secretary Gou alias Kuki said that the death of the three innocent civilians was due to a cross firing between the two groups.

(With inputs from EastMojo) .

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