Number of suspects rounded up jumps to 16, latest suspect picked up from a private hospital
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 21:
The State police today picked up yet another suspect, dubbed as the mastermind behind the kidnapping and later murder of Lungnila Elizabeth, from a private hospital in Imphal.
The identity of the man is being withheld at the moment.
Police diary said that the man was arrested from the hospital where he was undergoing treatment, today at about 11 am.
The accused was produced before the Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate today by the police and the accused has been remanded to police custody till November 25.From the interrogation of the suspect, police have verified that the accused has contacts with certain armed organizations, said the police record submitted to the Court.
There is strong and reasonable belief that the he is the mastermind of the crime though he is physically handicapped.
He is highly required to be put under custody for further interrogation, the police submitted before the Court.
With the arrest of the deemed master mind today, the number of suspects picked up in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Elizabeth has now gone up to 16.When The Sangai Express contacted the head of the private hospital over the matter, he confirmed that the suspect was picked up by the police today morning.
The head of the institute further said that he was admitted to the hospital on November 19 for some brain problems.
The private hospital was informed that the suspect was picked up as the police wanted to interrogate him in connection with some cases, said the head of the institute further.
Chief Minister O Ibobi when contacted told The Sangai Express that he has received the information of the arrest of the master mind, but declined to say anything more to ensure smooth progress of the investigation.
On November 18, the Chief Minister had announced to the media that the Special Investigation Team of the State Police Department which was constituted to probe the kidnapping and murder of the school girl had arrested one of the four main accused in the case.
The Chief Minister had however refused to divulge the identity of the main accused picked up by the police to ensure smooth progress of the investigation.
The Chief Minister had also informed the media that the identities of the three other main accused have been established and he had assured that publicity campaign would be mounted to ensure their early arrest.
The Chief Minister had also stated that the State Government may announce cash rewards for any information that may lead to the arrest of the three main accused.