Cell reconstituted, vehicle lifters identified: IGP Themthing
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 20 2022: IGP (law & order) Themthing Ngasangva has informed that the Anti-vehicle Theft Cell of Manipur police has been reconstituted in view of increasing cases of vehicle lifting particularly in Imphal area and the cell has identified many vehicle lifting gangs.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Themthing said that the Cell led by ADGP (law & order) has been reconstituted as per an order of the DGP to tackle increasing cases of missing of vehicles in the state.

The cell was established some years back but remained defunct due to COVID-19 pandemic.

With the reconstitution of the cell, investigation of vehicle theft cases and identification of vehicle lifting gangs including inter-state gangs have made significant progress, he added.

According to Themthing, one significant vehicle theft case cracked by the cell since its reconstitution was the arrest of a vehicle lifting gang and recovery of a stolen two-wheeler (Honda Activa) by a team of Churachandpur police led by the OC from Molnom Torbung on March 15.Arrested gang members are identified as Md Azmir Khan (32) son of Md Mahazar Khan of Borayangbi Chingya Leikai, Md Raju Khan (34) son of late Abdul Walik of Kwakta Khuman Ward No 4, Lamsonmon Vaiphei (27) son of Soithianmang Vaiphei of Zikpi Tampak and Khamlonmon Khongsai (25) son of Tunmung Khongsai of Moulsan village.

Investigation of the case is progressing, he added.

Following a report filed at Bishnupur police station that one red colour car knocked down a Maruti Swift car near Ningthoukhong Loktak Project gate on December 26, 2021 and the fled, investigation led to the identification of the involved car to be Honda City ZX (WB02V-6871), which was later found abandoned near Kwakta.

The owner of the car was identified as one Khullakpam Boboicha son of Kh Munir of Lilong Makha Leikai but it was found to be a fake name.

In further investigation, police found out that the owner of the car is one V Somilian Vaiphei, son of late Dikhol of Torbung and raided his house.

Though Somilian was not at home during the raid, the police recovered a bunch of keys, number plate of vehicle, fake seal of DTO, fake IND plate, rapid gun and many blank PVC cards, Themthing revealed.

Following a report that one Honda Activa 5G parked in front of CID office, Babupara was stolen on April 19, Imphal West district police initiated prompt action to recover the two-wheeler.

During the course of investigation, police knew that the two-wheeler met with an accident near Meitei Lamkhai and a team of the district police rushed to the accident site and nabbed the vehicle lifter and recovered the stolen two-wheeler.

The vehicle lifter has been identified as Danish Khan (19) son of Abdul Karim of Lilong Mayai Leikai.

During initial questioning, Danish disclosed that he came with one Md Wajid Khan alias Muthi on a two-wheeler and that he drove the stolen two-wheeler after Wajid Khan promised him to pay Rs 5,000 at Lilong.

As per Danish Khan's disclosure, Wajid had stolen one Honda Activa from JNIMS around three months back, one Honda Activa 6G from Oinam Dam (Samurou) in January this year, one Bullet from Kwakeithel around three months back and one Honda Activa 6G from Sajiwa jail around 4/5 months back.

Danish Khan's disclosure also led to the identification of other members of the gang including Md Wajid Khan alias Muthi (19) son of Abdul Salam of Lilong Haoreibi Mayai Laikai, Md Zuber son of Zaher Ali of Lilong Haoreibi Mayai Laikai and Md Momocha alias Islao Rahman alias Sharif of Lilong Haoreibi Mayai Laikai, Themthing Ngasangva added.

The police officer further said that Manipur police department has begun hectic work to stop vehicle lifting forever and steps have been initiated to nab all those involved in vehicle lifting cases with in-depth investigation.

Vehicle lifting cases in the past will be re-investigated afresh to nab all those involved in vehicle lifting, he said and appealed to public to extend support to police.

He also said that police department received reports of selling stolen vehicles from outside at cheap price in the state and steps to recover such vehicles will be taken up soon.

He then appealed to public not to purchase vehicles at cheap price without verifying documents.

Themthing Ngasangva further appealed to market goers to park vehicle only at government authorised parking lots only and parking agency concerned must be responsible for loss of vehicle from parking lot.

The press conference was also attended by IGP K Kabib, SP Imphal East M Pradip, SP Imphal West Shivkanta and additional SP Imphal West Amit.

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