Imphal, April 06: Despite the presence of prima facie evidences to implicate Manikho, Brown Tangkhul and Adai in the kidnapping and later murder case of Hriini Hubert and Muheni Martin, the police is greatly inconvenienced to proceed with the investigation as all the three prime suspects are in the custody of the NSCN (IM).

Speaking to The Sangai Express a police officer said that the detention of the trio by the NSCN (IM) virtually means that they cannot be interrogated by the police and added that at the moment, efforts are on to approach the Court and dub the three as proclaimed absconders.

To proceed with the case, the Senapati district police had earlier urged the State Government to approach Delhi to hand over the three accused to the police, said the source and added that if the IM group refuses to hand them over, then the case may go the way of Lungnila Elizabeth.

The NSCN (IM) had refused to hand over the main accused in the murder of Lungnila, James Kuki, when approached by the CBI.

The source said that till date, the police have not seized any weapons or other items in connection with the case.

Samples from the remains of the two kids have been sent for investigation to the Forensic Science Laboratory at Pangei, said the source and added that if needed, the samples may be sent outside the State to get a clearer picture.

The fact that the three main accused are still in the custody of the NSCN (IM) and have not been handed over to the police has greatly handicapped the work of the police, added the source.