Extra 4 days remand for UNLF cadre
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 09 2018: Chief Judicial Magistrate Imphal West Court remanded an accused in connection with the shooting of a rape accused on August 8 last year, to four more days in police custody today.

The accused Sapam Shantikumar alias Manaotomba (44) s/o Sapam Mani Meitei of Keibu Kumuda Maning Leikai, was produced from the custody of Lamphel police station with a prayer for further police custody remand.

The police, through the APP of the State, submitted that at around 2 pm of August 8 last year the.

OC of Lamphel PS, received information that on the same day, at around 1.50 pm, an unknown individual was shot by some armed miscreants along National Highway 37 (Imphal Jiribam road) at the road junction leading towards SAI complex, Takyel, causing grievous injuries to the victim who had to be evacuated to RIMS hospital for treatment.

The police station took up a suo moto case regarding the incident.

The APP further submitted that police recovered two empty bullet casings and a 9 mm projectile from the spot and the injured individual was identified as Sandham Bhogen (37) s/o S Bheigya of Sairemkhul Mayai Leikai.

On August 10, UNLF released a press statement claiming responsibility for the shooting.

After thorough enquiry and search operation, the accused Sapam Shantikumar, was arrested in connection with the case on January 25.During interrogation, it was revealed that he is an active member of UNLF and in June last year ten of the outfit's cadres (including Shantikumar) were selected and briefed with the task of killing people who were involved in rape cases in the State.

The police further submitted that during the seven days police custody, Shantikumar revealed that the cadres were given specific training in June last year, at Tamu (Myanmar) and in August he was sent out from the GHQs after getting due permission from self styled chief of army staff Pambei, along with a 9 mm pistol which was loaded with 10 live rounds (which was seized by the police) to execute his assigned task.

The police submitted that Shantikumar also revealed that Pebam Kangal alias Pebam Sunil of Thangmeiband and two other cadres of the outfit had carried out the shooting of Sandham Bhogen on August 8.He also disclosed that another batch of the outfit were given bombs and explosives training at their camp under one major Achou and that these cadres were responsible for the recent blasts at M Sector near Polo Ground on January 15, the twin bomb blasts at Imphal Polo Ground on February 5 and the blast inside Assam Rifles Transit camp on February 6.He also revealed that shootings and bombings will be carried out during the month of February to celebrate the anniversary of MPA( Manipur People's Army).

The police further submitted that massive efforts are being made to arrest other co-accused of the case as well as those responsible for the recent bomb blasts in the State and prayed for further police custody remand of S Shantikumar so as to arrest the other nine accused and to collect further evidences to substantiate the charges as well as to prevent extrajudicial activities of the outfit.

The Court, satisfied with the submission of the APP, remanded the accused to police custody for four days, till February 12 .

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