AR foils abduction plot
Source: The Sangai Express

Dimapur, June 29 2016: In a series of operations between June 22 and 24, units of IGAR (N) 37 Assam Rifles and 28 Assam Rifles busted an abduction plot of Manipur based People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) insurgent group.

The plan for abduction of Bulk Petroleum Lorry (BPL) drivers of Assam Oil Company was being hatched in Dimapur and its adjoining areas and was to be executed in Lahorijan area of Karbi Anglong district in Assam on June 27, according to a statement from PRO, Assam Rifles, Kohima, Nagaland.

In these operations one self-styled sergeant major of PREPAK and four over ground workers (OGWs) of the same group were apprehended.

Two weapons and ammunition were recovered from them.

The plan for abducting BPL drivers was conceived by PREPAK to extort money from Assam Oil Company.

Accordingly, three OGWs of Dimapur area were tasked in May 2016 but failed to execute the plan.

Subsequently, two Manipuris�one self styled sergeant major and one OGW�were inducted into Dimapur in first week of June 2016 .

The five apprehended persons confirmed that they met several times to coordinate their abduction plan and had arranged chloroform from Manipur/ Myanmar and a local car, silver coloured Maruti Esteem under repair at Chumukedima, to facilitate the abduction.

They had also earmarked a hideout location in Tinephye-1 village to keep the abducted victim.

The arrested have been identified as self-styled sergeant major Romeo Khumanthem, resident of Khumbi in Manipur, Lourembam Nabakishore Singh, 55, resident of Intham in Manipur, Mona Singh, 28, resident of Chumukedima, Prodip Das, 24, resident of Bokajan and Kivi Yeptho, 22, resident of Chumukedima.

The trend of PREPAK carrying out nefarious activities at Dimapur and Lahorijan has been unearthed for the first time.

These areas are traditionally considered to be strongholds of NSCN (IM) or NDFB (S).

Self-styled sergeant major Romeo is also suspected to be involved in one of the ghastly attacks in Chandel district of Manipur on May 21, 2016 in which six personnel of Assam Rifles were killed, the statement said.

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