Imphal, December 18: In a major breakthrough, Imphal West District Police commandos have arrested the main accused in the grenade attack at Manipur Diesel Shop at Thangal Bazar, Khoyathong Road on October 1 last.

Addressing a press conference in this connection at the conference hall of Imphal West District Police Headquarters this afternoon, SP of Imphal West District Clay Khongsai said that acting on a specific information about some PREPAK activists taking shelter at Sagolband Moirang Hanuba Leirak and Takyel Kolom Leikai, commandos of Imphal West District Police conducted search operation at the said area at about 5 am yesterday.

During the course of the operation, three suspects who are later established as activists of the proscribed outfit PREPAK (Shanti faction) were apprehended, the SP said.

Identifying the three arrested activists as Mathurabashimayum Imocha Sharma alias Khagemba (32) s/o M Rameshore Sharma of Sagolband Moirang Hanuba Leirak Machin, Konthoujam Dhiren alias Babu (18) s/o K Deben Singh of Takyel Kolom Leikai and Laishram Ibomcha Singh (25) s/o L Ibotombi Singh of Mayang Imphal Bazar, the SP informed that one 9 mm pistol with one magazine and seven live rounds of ammunition were recovered from the possession of Imocha Sharma.

The SP further informed that during the course of preliminary interrogation, Imocha Sharma admitted that he along with another PREPAK cadre identified as Krishna of Bamon Leikai had hurled the grenade at Manipur Diesel Shop, Thangal Bazar, Khuyathong Road on October 1 at around 10.10 pm in which three civilians were injured.

The case refers to FIR no.104 (10) 2007 City PS u/s 307/325/326/34 IPC, 3 Expl.

Subs.

Act and 16/17/20 UA (P) A.Act.

Krishna alias Sunil alias Momon had been subsequently killed by Commandos of Imphal East on November 11, 2007 at Kongba Uchekon, the SP said, adding that the accused Imocha Sharma had also confessed that the country made bomb utilised at Videocon House, Paona Bazar had been given by him to Sanatomba on November 16, 2007 at the instruction of one Wangba of PREPAK.

The bomb was in the shape of a glass bottle resembling soft drink bottles, the SP added.