Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 04, 2010:
In the aftermath of a burglar's reported disclosure that police personnel of Singjamei police station were involved in burglary cases yesterday, Imphal West district police have clarified that as per their investigation, no police personnel were involved in such cases.
Speaking to the media at Imphal police station today, Additional SP N Herojit said that there is no personnel by the names of Roshan, Ranjit and Jiten in Singjamei police station as revealed by the burglar Huiningshungbam Suresh alias Abung (18) of Chingamakha Kshetri Leikai yesterday.
It may be mentioned that Suresh revealed that Sarat, Roshan, Ranjit, Jiten and an unidentified cop of Singjamei police station were involved in different burglary cases in Singjamei area.
The Additional SP added that a police personnel whose name is Sarat of Singjamei police station has been interrogated but the physical description given by Suresh is different.
According to Suresh, the cop is short and stout but Sarat is very tall and slim, he added.
N Herojit further clarified that no Gypsy inscribed with 'Imphal West Commando' is allotted to the personnel of Singjamei police station.
The Additional SP added that Suresh's disclosure that police personnel are involved in burglary cases was made as the angry local people subjected Suresh to 'leading' questions after he was caught and beaten black and blue.
Later, Suresh confessed before the media that he made the disclosure as he could not bear the pain of the constant thrashing.
The Additional SP further said that Suresh's accomplice Thingujam Somi (18) of Heirangoithong has also been picked up by police.
He added that L Basanta (41) of Chingamakha Ningthoujam Leikai, Kongrailatpam Pandum (20) of Chingamakha Kshetri Leikai, Salam Saran alias Sarat and Soibam Shankar have also been rounded up for questioning.
He however said that no concrete evidence has been found from these four persons for their direct involvement in the burglaries.
Herojit however said that Basanta, a drummer by profession, often bought stolen articles from Suresh and Somi in cheap rates.
A few mobile handsets have also been seized from his possession.
Suresh and Somi have carried out atleast nine cases of burgalry and theft.
Informing that Suresh and Somi are drug addicts and "habitual" thieves, N Herojit said that they have stolen money and articles from Yahoo Kodak Shop, Singjamei, a hotel at Singjamei Supermarket, a pan shop at Manipur College gate, a pharmacy at Maibam Leikai, Sindam Book House and a shop at Chingamakha.