Imphal, May 08 2009: Even as whereabouts of Khwairakpam Megha reportedly abducted by a team of Imphal East commandos from Khagempalli on May 6 could not be ascertained till date, two commando personnel of Imphal East district involved in the abduction have been arrested.

The accused were produced before the Court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate today who remanded them to police custody till May 16 .

Khwairakpam Megha (34) s/o late Pishak of Naorem Leikai, Liwa Road was abducted by a team of commando personnel from Khagempalli at about 10.30 am of May 6 .

The commando personnel reportedly came in a bullet-proof jeep (Rakshak) without registration number.

An iron-smith by profession, Megha was running a workshop at RIMS Road.

He was taking lunch-packs for his employees together with one Koijam Santosh from Chingamakha on a Honda Activa (MN01Q-9658) before he was abducted from Khagempalli.

The commando team left Santosh there when he said that he was suffering from heart problems.

On the other hand Megha was bundled into the jeep while one of the commando personnel rode the Honda Activa.

One Doukhochong Touthang (31) s/o Gilkhothang of Yaingangpokpi but staying at Games Village Langol, a Rifleman in 1st MR but presently attached to Imphal East Police Commando and Imphal East commando Th Langlel (26) s/o Piyangthang of New Lamka, has been arrested in connection with the abduction.

After questioning, both Doukhochong and Langlel were produced before the Court.

Police have recovered one Honda Activa (belonging to Megha) with new paints, black helmet and two Chinese mobile handsets, one Sony Ericsson mobile handset with Airtel SIM card and an empty jerrycan.

Meanwhile, following a written complaint filed by Mangi Devi, Megha's mother at Singjamei police station, a case has been registered.

Speaking to media persons in connection with the abduction, local MLA O Joy said that the numberless jeep (Rakshak) was seen moving to and fro along Khagempalli road before Megha was abducted.

Soon after learning about Megha's abduction, Joy asked both the SPs of Imphal West and Imphal East if they were arresting Megha.

But both the SPs denied arresting Megha.

As the whereabouts of Megha could not be ascertained even after the ADGP was informed about the abduction, the matter was taken up with the Chief Minister who is also in charge of the Home Department, Joy conveyed.

On learning that some Imphal West commandos on duty in Khagempalli area were witness to the abduction, SP Imphal West summoned and paraded commandos of Imphal East.

It was during this parade that three commando personnel of Imphal West identified Doukhochong for his involvement in the abduction.

Yesterday too, SP Imphal East paraded commandos and asked the commando who were reportedly witness to the incident to identify and verify the accused, Joy said.

Although Rifleman Doukhochong maintained that he was not involved nor had any idea about the incident, his attendance at the parade wearing unfit glass and his head cleanly shaven in the most unusual manner only exposed his guilt, the MLA inferred.

Asserting that Megha is a civilian, not related to any UG group, Joy said that Megha was abducted by Doukhochong in cahoot with some individuals using the police vehicle without knowledge of the concerned SP and OC for some personal reasons.

He also raised strong suspicion whether there were gangs inside police commandos indulging in abduction and killing of civilians.

He questioned as to why some commandos have been using vehicles without registration numbers.

Appealing for safe release of Megha, the MLA also sought attention of the Governor and the Chief Ministers towards the alleged misadventures and excesses of commandos.

Comment