Ten held, accused of bomb attacks
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 07 2012: At least 10 persons, including a woman and a bail-out PLA cadre, have been rounded up from different places of Imphal East district during search operations launched jointly by police commandos of Imphal East and West districts.

While presenting a detailed account leading to the arrest of the 10 individuals, some of whom were described as overground workers of banned outfits to news-persons last evening, Additional SP Dr AK Jhaljit said one AK-47 rifle with magazine and eight rounds, one AK-56 with magazine and 10 rounds, one 9 mm (Mauser) pistol with magazine and four rounds, several demands notes and three Chinese hand-grenades have been recovered from the arrested persons.

Stating that the search operations were carried out by the joint team at Keirao, Langdum, Sandrok and Khanarok areas of Imphal East district on the intervening nights of January 5 and 6, Dr Jhaljit said from the statements given by the arrested persons it has been revealed that they are either active members or overground workers/sympathisers of PREPAK (Pro) organisation.

Arms and ammos seized by the joint team

Listing involvement of the 10 in attacking the Lairikyengbam Leikai residences of Congress workers and supporters on December 12 and 13 respectively, Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai (January 4) and at Yumnam Leikai Ngakraba Leirak (Jan 5) to disrupt the upcoming 10th State assembly election, he reminded that the attacks had been claimed by CorCom, a conglomerate of armed groups such as PLA, UNLF, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), KYKL, KCP, UPPK.

Further revealing that four demand notes of KCP signed by one Malemnganba, a Maruti Van (MN04A/5871), and Laptop (Dell) with a HP printer were also seized from the possession of the arrested persons, the police officer also confided that information has been received about handing over of grenades and other explosive items, along with small arms and assault weapons to cadres of different UG groups under CorCom to carry out similar attacks ahead of the election.

Apart from specific inputs about recruitment of overground workers to carry out the attacks against political workers of the Congress party, he said the demand letters (KCP/Malemnganba) were supposed to be handed to pradhans, private individuals and Govt officials.

Moreover, these persons have also extorted huge amount of money in the name/guise of KCP to raise party fund, he added.

Maintaining that police also have specific details about some other individuals who are yet to be rounded up, Dr Jhaljit said con-certed efforts are on to net them.

The arrested persons have been identified as Asem Momon (41) s/o A Matum of Langdum Makha Leikai, (PLA bail-out) Arambam Abung Singh (30) s/o A Chaoba of Langdum Maning Leikai, Kangabam Borsingh (43) s/o (L) K Ibobi of Langdum Lairembi Leikai, Yensembam Romeo (29) s/o (L) Y Thoiba of Langdum Awang Leikai, Mutum Warjit alias Malemnganba (22) s/o M Modhumangol of Keirao Lairembi Leikai, Ningthoujam Itomba (44) s/o (L) N Selung of Keirao Bitra Awang Leikai, Takhellambam Nobo (34) s/o T Iboton of Sandrok Mayai Leikai, Yenshenbam Romeo Singh (42) s/o Y Angou of Khanarok Mayai Leikai, Haobijam Shivchandra (29) s/o H Yaima Singh of Bamon Kampu and Louriyam (O) Thaba (50) w/o L Nganbi of Keirao Khunou.

Informing that the Maruti Van was used for transportation of UG activists, arms and ammunition for carrying out the attacks, the ASP said L Thaba Devi was physically involved in the transportation of arms and ammunition.

He also stated that A Abung, K Borsingh, Y Romeo and M Warjit were rounded up from the residence of N Itomba, from whose straw pile the two Chinese hand-grenades were recovered.

The rest were pulled up from their respective residences, he added.

Meanwhile, coming out after deposing before the Imphal East Duty Magistrate (Imphal East) today, Itomba, who is preparing to contest the upcoming poll from Keirao AC, described his arrest as politically motivated.

He asserted that even if from jail, he would contest the election.

It is informed that Itomba will remain in police custody till January 10 while the others would be detained upto January 13 .