Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 10:
The Air Deccan flight (DN 654) to Guwahati from Imphal was delayed by over one hour today, as personnel of the Imphal West district police arrested two hard core PULF cadres from the airport while they were waiting to board the plane.
Interestingly, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Md Allaudin Khan was also waiting to board the flight at the airport along with some of his family members when the PULF cadres were arrested by the police who acted following a specific tip off.
In a statement, SP of Imphal West police Clay Khongsai said that two suspects were segregated from the other passengers and arrested.
Police identified them as S/S Lt Md Waris Khan alias Wagi (22) son of Md Salam of Kiyamgei Awang Leikai (deputy finance secretary of PULF) and S/S 2nd Lt Md Illiaz Khan (23) son of Md Haji Abdul Hei of Phoudel, Wangkhem, Yairipok.
Following the arrest of the two rebels at the airport, the Air Deccan flight was delayed for about an hour.
The flight was supposed to depart at 2.10 pm but took off only at 3.15 pm, said airport sources.
A team of Imphal West police led by Additional SP Radheshyam and commando OC Krishnatombi descended on the airport following specific inputs that the two PULF cadres would be taking the flight to Guwahati, said sources.
The police team then detained all the passengers who were on their way to Guwahati and started the process of verifying their identities.
The PULF cadres were found seated near the Minister, said sources.
Significantly, Allaudin Khan had booked five tickets together from an agency at Hotel Nirmala.
The names given while booking the tickets were Mr Allauddin Khan, his wife Mrs Safura Begum and son, Mr Md Ebunggo.
The other two names were given as Mr Wagi Khan and Mr Abdul Wakil Shah.
The tickets were booked yesterday (Nov 9).Sources said that the two PULF cadres may have booked their tickets under fictitious names.
The two rebels are under hectic interrogations, said sources.