Police take custody of KNF chief netted at New Delhi
Source: Chronicle News Service / Kaimuanthang Mangte

CCpur, September 21 2021: Mangkholam Kipgen alias David, the self-styled commander in-chief of the armed Kuki National Front, who was arrested by Delhi police Special Cell on Sunday evening at the national capital, has been brought back to the state on Tuesday.

Churachandpur police station has consequently taken custody of Mangkholam from Imphal airport for investigation into various cases registered against him.

Among others, the police station had registered a case into an incident of'some armed persons snatching an INSAS Rifle from Kangvai outpost in December 2020 .

During the course of the investigation, it was found that the crime was committed under the command of Mangkholam Kipgen.

The district police also managed to round up eight persons involved in the case and recovered four SBBL guns arid two country-made pistols as well as the INSAS rifle.

Mangkholam (24) is also facing charges of kidnapping, snatching arms from police, ransom, etc.

He reportedly belongs to Kangpokpi district.

According to DCP (Special Cell) Pramod Singh Kushwaha, on September 19 morning, inspector Ravinder Tyagi of New Delhi range of Special Cell received a tip-off about the movement of the wanted insurgent in Dwarka after which a raid was conducted.

The suspect was apprehended after being identified by an informer.

During interrogation, Mangkholam disclosed that he quit studies after Class VII.

In 2018, he came in contact with KNF cadres of his village and got engaged with them in extortion, robbery, dacoity, etc.

"Soon, he became infamous for snatching weapons of security personnel, kidnapping for ransom, extortion and other heinous crimes.

In June 2020, he declared himself as commander - in chief of KNF," said Kushwaha.

On the intervening night of December 12-13, 2020, his associates and he overpowered and kidnapped two sentries of Kangvai police outpost in Churachandpur district, and took away their weapons.

Later, eight of his cadres were apprehended in an operation and the snatched weapons were recovered, but Mangkholam managed to flee, went underground and began to operate covertly.

On February 18 this year, Mangkholam and his associates abducted a Nepalese citizen for ransom.

His younger brother, Haopilun (20), was arrested in this case: "On the day of 'Sahnit Ni\ Kuki's Black Day on Sept 13, KNF declared total shutdown in Manipur restricting movement of vehicles and closing down all administrative offices and business establishments.

They also opened indiscriminate fire for violat ing their call.

Mangkholam claimed responsibility for this incident through a press release," continued the DCP while informing that Mangkholam has a vast network of armed militants in Manipur was planning to abduct construction company officials for not paying protection money.

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