2 militants accused of killing SDPO, Moreh remanded in police custody
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 29 2024: Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate, the two armed Kukis suspected to be involved in killing Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Chingtham Anand-kumar, have been formally arrested and remanded in police custody for 12 days by an NIA Court today .

Philip Khaikholal Khong-sai and Hemkholal Mate were produced before the Special Court of NIA, Imphal West via video conference after completion of an earlier remand in police custory for 15 days granted by Court following their arrest with arms and ammu- nition on January 15 .

While the two were remanded by the Court to judicial custody till February 12 for illegal possession of arms and ammunition, Moreh police filed an application for formal arrest of the duo in connection with the assassination of Moreh SDPO Ch Anandkumar.

Manipur Police Service officer Ch Anandkumar was gunned down on October 31, 2023 when he was overseeing the construction of a helipad at Eastern Shine School ground at Moreh.

While the police in Moreh were on the trail of the armed Kuki militants who shot and killed the officer, State security forces arrested suspects Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate on January 15 .

They were arrested from an area near Moreh College after they ambushed Commando personnel who were on routine patrol.

After the ambush, the two fled into a cluster of houses.

The police commandos cordoned off the area and chased the two before overpowering and detaining them.

Police recovered arms and ammunition including hand-grenade from their possessions.

While a case was slapped against them for illegal possession of arms and ammu- nition, the two were also charged for involvement in the "assassination" of SDPO Ch Anandkumar.

Police said the two are among the main suspects in the killing of the MPS officer Philip Khaikholal Khongsai is an ex-Army man and is the leader of Moreh Defence Force, Tengnoupal district.

He is also the president of Moreh Youth Club and an executive member of Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal.

Hemkholal Mate is chief of K Moulsang village.

The police cases against the two claim that Philip Khaikholal and Hemkholal Mate were the "masterminds" of all the ambushes and attacks on State security forces and BSF in Moreh and they were behind the murder of SDPO Ch Anandkumar.

Significantly, attacks on security forces by armed Kukis and militants in Moreh since October 2023 have killed at least three cops including Ch Anandkumar and injured more than 18 personnel.

The cases filed against the two "masterminds" said they were involved in various terrorist activities including the burning down of houses at Moreh town.

When they were produced before the NIA Court via video conference today in connection with the case relating to illegal possession of arms and ammunition, the Court remanded them to judicial custody till February 12 .

Later, when the Court was in session, Moreh police filed an application to formally arrest the two accused persons in connection with the assassination of SDPO Anandkumar.

Moreh police said Phillip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate were allegedly involved in the shooting on October 31 which killed SDPO Chingtham Anandkumar.

Moreh police prayed the Court for custody of the two.

The Court, after hearing the submissions and on perusal of the materials on record, allowed Moreh police to arrest the two and remanded them to 12 days police custody till February 9 for smooth investigation of the assassination case.

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