Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 23 2010:
Volunteers of All Manipur Anti-Drug Association (AMADA) have reportedly apprehended an individual who has been accused of snatching earrings from at least six children of his locality.
Speaking to newspersons at the Keishampat head office today, AMADA secretary (Organisation & Coordination) Konjengbam Meghachandra said a complaint was received of six children losing their earrings during the recent Durga Pujah festival.
The six were part of nine youngsters of Kha Sanjenbam Mayai Leikai who were celebrating the festival at the locality and used to stay overnight at the pujah venue.
The victims claimed to have discovered the loss at about 2 am of October 14 after which an AMADA team launched an investigation and subsequently narrowed down on a suspect, a known substance abuser from the same locality.
Naming the suspect, who was rounded up yesterday, as Laishram Bipin Singh (21), Meghachandra said that the accused has admitted stealing the ear rings from the children while they slept.
After committing the crime, Bipin went to Hiyangthang area on October 15 where he traded off the stolen items at a jewellery shop which fetched him Rs 7400, the AMADA secretary maintained and quoted the accused person as saying that the entire money had been consumed along with his friends.
Stating that proprietor of the jewellery shop would be summoned to clarify his/her position, Meghachandra further informed that Bipin has been handed over to family elders after necessary reprimand.
An agreement has also been reached with Bipin's family elders to return the stolen ear-earrings within 15 days through the local Youth Modern Club.
Noting that drug/substance abusers were found involved in atleast 70 percent of criminal activities that took place in the State, Meghachandra also said till date AMADA activists have rounded up three persons in connection with snatching earrings/gold chains, five vehicle lifters and several extortionists in addition to recovering six weapons/arms.