5 individuals allegedly involved in Koirengei blast held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 11 2018: A joint team of Manipur police personnel has claimed to have cracked the Koirengei bomb blast case within 24 hours and arrested five individuals directly involved in the IED blast apart from arresting another individual highly suspected to be involved in the case along with an IED.

Speaking to media persons at Imphal West SP Conference hall today evening, DGP LM Khaute said that after the powerful IED blast at Koirengei on May 9 which claimed the lives of two BSF personnel and injured three civilians, a case was registered at Heigang PS.

Manipur police swung into action to nab the individuals involved in the blast and massive search operations were conducted in different places of Imphal West, Imphal East and Thoubal district by the respective district police personnel , he said.

Security was beefed up and sources were deployed to find any kind of leads in connection with the Koirengei blast; Acting on specific intelligence input that one Thoudam Suresh alias Khamba alias Inungamba alias Nganthoi (27) s/o Th Tomba of Thoubal Leishangthem Thoudam Mamang Leikai was highly suspected to be involved in the blast as he was reportedly seen around the area on the day of the incident, Imphal East district police and Thoubal district police rushed to the residence of Th Suresh and arrested him at around 9 am yesterday.

The police also seized two mobile phones from his possession.

The DGP further said that as follow up action and based on the revelation of Th Suresh during interrogation, four more individuals involved, including two women, were arrested simultaneously by the special team of Manipur police.

The arrested individuals are identified as Thokchom Ranjit (58) s/o (L) Th Yaima, Thokchom (o) Tharongoubi Leima (55) of Langol Type 2' (wife of Th Ranjit), from (o) Kumudini (60) w/o (L) Irom Iboyaima of Shamusang Lairembi Leirak and Thoudam Aboy alias Naocha alias Wathouba alias Ekheng Meitei (30) s/o Th Ibocha of Thoubal Leishangthem Thoudam Mamang Leikai (presently staying at Mantripukri Chumbreithong).

The DGP stated that Thoudam Suresh revealed that he is a member of PREPAK and is currently working under the command of one Erei of the outfit.

Under the direction of Erei, he went to Thoubal on May 8 (at around 2 pm) and collected the IED bomb packed in a black polythene from two unknown individuals near Thoubal College.

From there he went to Singjamei area by boarding a passenger Tata Magic vehicle and there he met his associate Th Aboy (who was sent by Erei) who came in a blue Activa and went to Mantripukri and stayed the night at the residence ofThokchom (o) Tharongoubi Leima of Langol Type 2.The next day (May 9), Suresh and Aboy went .to Khonghampat and returned to Koirengei where they met a woman known only by the name of Ichan who was also sent by Erei.

Then Ichan along with Aboy went ahead with the IED while Suresh remained at CMC hospital junction.

After they planted the bomb in front of the grocery shop, Ichan left towards Khonghampat side.

In the meantime, Suresh along with Aboy went near Koirengei BSF Sector HQ and observed the presence of security personnel near by the IED.

Later at an opportune moment, Aboy triggered the IED using a remote control.

The DGP informed that Thokchom Ranjit, his wife Th Tharongoubi and Irom (o) Kumudini (Tharongoubi's elder sister) have been arrested for harbouring Suresh and Aboy in their plan to carry out the bomb blast.

He continued that investigation is on in full swing to arrest other people involved in the case.

On the other hand LM Khaute said that after the twin blast in front of IGAR South PRO office on May 8 and the Koirengei blast on May 9, Imphal west district police intensified search for the suspects involved in the incident.

He informed that acting on a specific input, a team of Imphal West commando conducted a surprise raid at the residence of one suspect identified as Kangabam Roshan alias Poireiton (27) s/o (L) K Gogo Singh of Thangapat Mapal at around 4 pm yesterday.

On spot enquiry, Roshan revealed that a packaged IED was kept concealed in the ceiling of his bedroom and after subsequent search, the commando personnel recovered the said items which included three circuits, five 9 volts battery, an LED bulb, one wire cap, one remote control, one C4 cake wrapped in cello tape, six pieces of carbon and a cello tape.

The DGP added that on further questioning, the individual revealed that he is working under the command of one self styled major Jiten who is presently at Tamu, Myanmar.

He revealed that he visited Moreh frequently early this year and met Jiten to procure IEDs to carry out attacks on security forces stationed/deployed along the National Highways at any opportune moment.

The DGP explained that it was also revealed that K Roshan has been part of the underground movement for the past 19 years and he is involved in various bomb blasts in different parts of the State as well as other parts of the country.

He stated that K Roshan was also involved in the bomb blast in front of Chief Minister's official bungalow and hand grenade attack at Territorial Army post Mantripukri some years back.

K Roshan was initially assigned to attack security personnel on May 6, the DGP said and added that the police is also investigating his (Roshan) involvement in the recent bomb attacks on security personnel.

Stating that all the arrested individuals and the seized IED bomb have been handed over to police stations concerned for taking up necessary legal action.

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