Three arrested for extortion bids
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 25 2020: A joint team of Manipur Police and Bengaluru police, on February 19, arrested three individuals who demanded money from different banks located in Imphal City, contractors and private financial firms, using the name of KCP Angamba Group and brought them back to Imphal today evening.

Parading the trio before media persons at SP Imphal West conference hall today, SP K Meghachandra conveyed that on February 15, City police received information that an outfit, KCP (Angamba Group), under the command of secretary Pari Meitei made a demand of Rs 1 crore each from the Chairmen/General Managers of some banks located at Paona Bazaar warning them to hand over the amount to the outfit on or before February 25 .

Three arrested for extortion bids

The SP informed that the demands were made using postal service and mobile phone through which the victims were asked to deposit the amounts in two different SBI accounts, warning them of serious consequences if the demands were not met.

Based on the information, a case was registered by City PS and an investigation was launched.

During the course of the investigation, it was learned that one of the accused was at Bengaluru and as such, information was passed to Bengaluru Police for their assistance.

The SP continued that on February 19, a team of Manipur Police led by a DSP went to Bengaluru and with help from Bengaluru police, arrested the main accused along with two associates from a rented house at Ashwathappa building, Gorangunte Palya, Bengaluru.

The individuals have been identified as Sarangthem Gyaneshwor alias Gopi alias Gopeshwor (45) s/o (L) Dhaballo of Kongpal Chanam Leikai, self styled finance secretary of KCP (Angamba Group), Lairenlakpam Manihar (47) s/o (L) Dokhne Singha of Leirenkhul Hailakandi, Assam and Thangjam Nandakishor (35) s/o Leihao of Jaribon Porbo-kitten Part II, Hailakandi, Assam, the SP informed adding that three mobile phones, six sim cards, a seal bearing name of comrade Pari, Secretary Finance, KCP (Angamba Group) and other items were seized from their possession.

They were produced before the Court concerned at Bengaluru and were taken into transit remand for a period of seven days till tomorrow.

On preliminary investigation, the main accused Sarangthem Gyaneshwor revealed that he used to run a micro finance firm called Golden Super Service Micro Finance Investment Private Limited at Uripok Tourangbam Leikai and explained that it became bankrupt after many failed to pay back the dues.

As many investors came to him demanding their money, Gyaneshwor fled to Cachar, Assam, before fleeing further to Chennai and then to Bengaluru some months back.

At Bengaluru, he suddenly had the idea of creating a KCP faction and extorting money from banks in Imphal.

As such, he prepared about 70 letterheads and a seal and started sending extortion letters to various banks, contractors and micro finance institutes.

He also revealed that he used the SBI bank accounts of the two co-accused and that so far, they have been able to collect a sum of Rs 2 lakh from some individuals.

Gyaneshwor revealed that they do not have any camps, said the SP added that investigation is on going.