Identity of killer established as IRB man
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 26 2014 : It has been learnt that the man who attacked a group of commandos near PCTC oil pump, Khoyathong, hijacked a Rakshak jeep along with the driver before shooting dead the driver at Thambalkhong last night has turned out to be an IRB rifleman.

The accused IRB personnel has been identified as one Thangkhensang of Vengnuam Veng, Churachandpur district.

He is an escort personnel of Hill Areas Committee Chairman Dr Chaltonlien Amo and he is said to be a drug abuser.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam termed last night's killing as very unfortunate.

6th IRB Rifleman Thangkhensang has a record of being a rogue and a drug abuser.

It looked like he stole a gun from the quarters of MLA Chaltonlien Amo with an intention to sell the weapon and purchase drugs with the money thus earned.

However, after shooting dead the Rakshak driver, he left behind the stolen gun and took away the 9 mm pistol issued to the driver.

Identity of killer established as IRB man

An enquiry is being conducted and a massive manhunt has been launched to nab the rogue rifleman, Gaikhangam said while speaking to some media persons today.

Sources informed that Thangkhensang stole an MP-5 gun from the official quarters of the HAC Chairman located at Lamphel.

It is being speculated that he was heading to North AOC to purchase drugs.

The MP-5 gun stolen by Thangkhensang was issued to an IRB Jemadar who was on leave.

The gun was kept under lock and key inside a box made of tin.

He reportedly broke open the box and stole the gun.

As he headed towards North AOC, Thangkhensang was stopped by a team of VDF personnel led by a Head Constable at Khoyathong traffic point.

Even as Thangkhensang identified himself as an IRB personnel, he could not produce his identity card.

On seeing that Thangkhensang was armed, one VDF personnel tried to snatch it resulting in a brief tussle.

Thangkhensang punched the VDF personnel and jumped into a passing auto-rickshaw.

The VDF team alerted a commando team who were on duty near PCTC oil pump shouting that an armed man had jumped into the auto-rickshaw.

The team then halted the auto-rickshaw.

As soon as the vehicle pulled up, Thangkhensang opened indiscriminate fire from the stolen MP-5.The next moment, he overpowered and abducted the Rakshak driver in the police vehicle.

He took the commando driver to Thambalkhong Sabal Leikai and shot him dead before fleeing with the 9 mm pistol issued to the driver.

He left the MP-5 gun inside the Rakshak jeep and a jacket he wore last night.

A disposable syringe was found inside the jacket.

Even as an intensive search operation was conducted in Thambalkhong area since last night till this morning, the killer rifleman could not be arrested, sources informed.

Meanwhile, the last rites of slain commando driver Elangbam Joykumar (42) s/o Bamon Singh of Samurou Mamang Leikai was performed today.

After post mortem at RIMS, the mortal remains of the slain commando was taken to his native village led by a band party of armed police (MR/IRB).

At the local crematorium, gun salutes and last respects were paid to Elangbam Joykumar.

Joykumar is survived by his wife and two daughters.