Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 08:
In a well co-ordinated operation between troops of Red Shield Division, Manipur Police Commandos, Military Intelligence and West Bengal Police, Kolkatta, four high ranking cadres of PREPAK were arrested on April 7.A statement issued by the PIB (Defence Wing) said that preparations began in September last year after it came to light that the top hierarchy of PREPAK was operating from Kolkatta.
The statement added that the cadres had left for Kolkatta with Rs 80 lakhs collected obviously through extortion.
Military Intelligence personnel who have been keeping a close surveillance over the houses of the suspects reported that two of the suspects were moving to
Kolkatta airport.
It was also established that they were heading for Imphal by IC-211 flight, added PIB.
After the information was passed to Red Shield Division, which had initiated the intelligence report gathering process, a joint team of the unit and Bishnupur Police Commandos laid a trap outside the Tulihal airport and arrested Y Sanjay Singh, the finance secretary of the outfit and Laishram Ibobi Singh political secretary of PREPAK, said PIB.
At the same time, the Military Intelligence continued the surveillance of the houses where the suspects were staying at Kolkatta, said the statement and added that they reported that the suspects had shifted probably after learning of the arrest at Imphal.
Two of the militants were later arrested from a hotel at Kolkatta, said the statement and identified them as S/S Capt Leishamba alias Rakesh, fighting group commander and S/S Lt RK Dhaneshwar Singh alias RK Defence Secy and chief of organisation committee of PREPAK.
The two cadres arrested from Imphal airport have been handed over to Bishnupur police and search operations are underway at Kolkatta, added PIB.