Two held, NSCN-IM's transit camps raided
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 28 2021: Imphal West police commandos have arrested two suspected members of a terrorist group in connection with the abduction and murder of Zeliangrong leader Athuan Abonmai, and the duo has been remanded to police custody for nine days.

The arrested duo has been identified as Ponthanlung Panmei alias Paul (47), son of Langai Panmei of Konthoujam Maning Tribal Colony and Lanchapou Bosco Gonmei (48) son of CJM Tamenglong while producing them, the two were arrested by Imphal West commandos and handed over to Tamenglong police station at 8 am and 9.30 am respectively on September 27 .

Police also recovered a partially burned Maruti Gypsy (NL 07C-5873), and one sledgehammer from the crime spot during the course of investigation.

Police also recovered six mobile phones from the possession of the arrested duo.

During questioning, the two disclosed that they are members of a terrorist organisation and were involved in the murder of Athuan Abonmai as well as in fund raising activities of the organisation, the IO report said.

However, the report does not mention which organisation they belong to.

After perusing the IO s report, CJM Tamenglong remanded them to police custody for nine days for further questioning with instruction to produce them before the court on October 6.Meanwhile, police commandos raided two transit camps of NSCN-IM in Tamenglong district on Tuesday as part of the operation being launched in connection with the abduction and subsequent murder of Athuan Abonmai.

Police sources said that the commando team led SP in-charge (railway) Krishnatombi, additional SP Herojit and OC of special commando Vivekananda carried out an operation in a village located around 5 km to the south of Tamenglong district headquarters on Monday night after receiving information of presence of a transit camp of the NSCN-IM.

During the operation, the commando team confiscated NSCN-IM flags, uniforms and some documents from two houses, which are used as transit camps of the outfit.

However, the IM cadres in the transit camp were found already escaped taking advantage of the darkness before the CDO team reached there.

The state forces stationed in Tamenglong district are continuing their operation to hunt down NSCN-IM cadres, who might be involved in the assassination of Athuan Abonmai.

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