Five involved in Koutruk firing case among 15 held
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 26 2024: Security forces recovered weapons during search operations conducted in the past 48 hours along with rounding up 15 persons, including cadres of different insurgent groups involved in firing incidents and extortion activities.

The arrested individuals include five involved in the firing incident at Koutruk in Imphal West district on August 24.A per a statement issued by Manipur Police Control Room late on Sunday evening, the five are Pukhrambam Binit alias Amar Meitei (19), Longjam Momocha alias Vishal Meitei (34), Thokchom Loyasana alias Yaiphaba (41), Wangkhem Dilip Meitei (45) and Ningthoujam Ibomcha Meitei (40).They were reportedly involved in the exchange of gunfire near the Koutruk Primary School and Community Hall under Lamsang police station.

According to the control room, a team from Lamsang police station rushed to the spot in response to the clash that broke out between two armed groups following a heated argument between the two groups resulting in injuries to at least three individuals.

Pukhrambam Binit of Langjing Achouba village suffered bullet injuries on his knees and was arrested while under treatment at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal.

Another police report informed that a combined team of Thoubal district police and 4 Assam Rifles conducted a search operation in Waithou area under Lilong police station from 4.30 am till 6.30 am on Monday and recovered one 9mm pistol with magazine, a hand grenade, 10 rounds of 9mm and one smoke grenade, all of which have been handed over to Lilong PS for further action.

A team of Bishnupur district police and 184th Bn BSF also searched Uchal Makhong area under Kumbi PS from 6.10 am till 7.30 am on Monday covering 80 houses and verifying 92 people.

However, there is no report of any arrest or recovery made.

Meanwhile, a combined team of Imphal West district police, F-120 CRPF, G-163 BSF and B-158 CRPF conducted a search operation in Koutruk from 3.15 pm till 5 pm on Sunday during which 50 houses were searched, 147 people verified and recovered two Mahindra Bolero vehicle.

Imphal West district police also arrested three cadres of the proscribed Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) from Changangei Ucheckon under Lamphel police station on Sunday.

The arrested cadres have been identified as Oinam Milan Singh (52) s/o (L) Kokngang Singh of Wangkhei Hijam Leirak, Yumnam Ranbir Singh (51) s/o (L) Kuber Singh of Singjamei Makha Khongnang Pheidekpi and Khaidem Dhanabir Meitei (24) s/o Modhuchandra Meitei of Lamlai Makha Leikai.

The three arrested around 1.30pm Sunday were involved in extortion activities in Imphal area.

Police recovered four mobile handsets, two Aadhaar cards, two driving licenses, two PAN cards, one voter card, three wallets, Rs 9125 in cash and one gold colour Hyundai Santro Car (MN01K 605) from their possession.

In another crackdown, a team of Imphal East district police commando on Monday arrested an active member of the banned United National Liberation Front (UNLF) identified as Konsam Romesh Meitei (43) s/o Dhanabir of Kongba Kshetri Leikai.

According to a police report, 4 Assam Rifles received reliable input about the presence of some cadres of the Koireng-led UNLF in Heingang area of Imphal East district.

Acting on the input, a team of Imphal East district commando conducted a checking-frisking operation in Heingang Makha Leikai on Monday morning.

At about 9.21 am, the team halted and checked a man who came riding a Honda Activa, who later identified self as an active member of the armed outfit.

The team also recovered two mobile phones from his possession.

During questioning, Romesh disclosed that he joined the outfit under one Jack alias Boy-cha in October last year and has been working under the latter till date.

He further revealed of involvement in extorting money from brickfields in Yumnam Khunou, Waiton and Heingang area and was on route to collect the money from an individual in Heingaing area on Monday.

Romesh has been handed over to Heingang PS for further legal action.

A combined team of Imphal East and Imphal West district police along with 4 Assam Rifles and CRPF, Langjing apprehended six KYKL cadres with incriminating items during a search operation carried out in Awang Potsangbam Khullen Maning Leikai on Monday.

The arrested cadres have been identified as Waribam Ibomcha alias Sudhir (36) s/o Menjor of Tumukhong Awang Leikai, Moirangthem Bo (41) s/o (L) Nimai of Mayang Imphal Thana Leikai, Yumnam Amitkumar alias Tomthin (38) s/o Ibohanbi of Seijang Awang Leikai, Oinam Naocha (26) s/o Biren of Tumukhong Mayai Leikai, Sandam Roshan (24) s/o Ratan of Sairem Khul and Tharoijam Nanao (24) s/o (L) Ibomcha of Tharoijam Mayai Leikai.

According to reports, acting on reliable input of presence of some KYKL cadres in Awang Potsangbam Khullen Maning Leikai area, the combined team conducted a search operation from 3am Monday leading to arrest of the six KYKL cadres, who were hiding in the kitchen and bedroom of one Khundongbam Raghuchandra (52) s/o (L) Ningthemjao.

On questioning, the six revealed that they were working under KYKL commander Luckyson alias Birjit alias Ibomcha.

The team recovered three scopes, one each round of AK, SLR & 303 Rifle, one tube launching MT case, three military caps, two hand gloves, two camouflage mufflers and two neck round mufflers, two boots, three camouflage t-shirts, four mobile phones, two keypad mobiles phones, two wristwatches and one magazine pouch from the rooms, apart from seizing a Maruti 800 car (MN 01 S-7207).AH six along with the items were handed over to Sekmai PS for further legal action.

The report further informed that the security team, after ascertaining that commander Luckyson alias Birjit alias Ibomcha, was in Wangkhei area, conducted a search operation.

After learning that the current location of Luckyson was at the residence of a prominent individual, the team rushed to the said house around 6am Monday.

When the team arrived at the residence, Ibomcha fled the same.

During search of the room he reportedly stayed in, a double barrel gun, one single barrel gun, two cartridges, three magazines of INSAS Rifle and five of M60, 289 rounds of INSAS Rifle, seven rounds of SLR, nine of 303 Rifle, seven walkie talkie sets, two BP vests and one laptop were recovered.

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