Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 26 2010:
Police Commandos have apprehended two cadres of the proscribed PREPAK, who are allegedly involved in the hand grenade attack at the residence of former Deputy Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly and proprietor of Haokip Travels TT Haokip, along with arms.
Talking to mediapersons in this connection at the Commandos' complex here today afternoon, Additional SP (Ops) of Imphal West District, Dr AK Jhalajit informed that the two PREPAK cadres were arrested by a combined team of Imphal East and Imphal West District Police Commandos from near the AIR Imphal Station inside Palace Compound at around 6 pm yesterday.
The police officer said that at around 5 pm yesterday, specific information about the presence of PREPAK cadres near the AIR station gate was received.
Accordingly, the police commandos rushed in and managed to arrest the two cadres later identified as Keithellakpam Shantikumar alias AK (25) s/o Mani of New Checkon but staying at Patsoi Part-II and Saikhom Hemanta alias Rakesh (28) s/o Amuba alias Amu of Nongmeibung Pung Makhong.
On spot verification, they disclosed themselves as active members of PREPAK and they joined the outfit through one Shanti of Wangoi around a month back and they are now working under the command of one self styled sergeant major and finance commander of the outfit identified as Nongdamba.
One hand grenade was recovered from the possession of Shantikumar while another hand grenade, six live rounds of AK ammunition and a Nokia mobile handset with SIM card of Vodafone from the possession of Hemanta.
Shantikumar also disclosed that he was involved in the bomb attack at the New Checkon residence of former Deputy Speaker and Manipur Legislative Assembly and proprietor of Haokip Travels TT Haokip in the morning of April 9, the police officer added.
It may be recalled here that in the said bomb attack, a daughter of TT Haokip was wounded.
The police officer further informed that the arrested PREPAK cadres also disclosed that they are assigned the task of serving extortion letters and collecting money from the people for party fund.
On further interrogation, it has been learnt that they were planning to attack the residence of one Hanjabam Jayadeva Sharma of Thangapat Mapal with bomb as the individual has not entertained their monetary demand, the police officer said.