COAS of KLA involved in Wolfgang's abduction case killed, cops awarded
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 04:
Dealing a crippling blow to the Kuki Liberation Army, Imphal East police commandos gunned down the Chief of Army Staff of the Kuki Liberation Army, H Roman Lupheng at Chaningpokpi under Lamlai police station today at about 3 in the morning.
Police said the rebel leader was killed when he attempted to escape.
Additional DGP Y Joykumar informed The Sangai Express that the police personnel would be awarded a cash prize of Rs 10,000.According to sources, the real name of the Army Chief of the rebel group is Paozangam Lupheng (30) of Gobjang village under Saikul police station.
Known by many aliases such as Helun, Angam, James, and H Roman, the rebel leader had shifted to Thangkhanphai village.
The rebel leader was arrested along with an accomplice by a team of Imphal East police commandos yesterday from Sawombung bridge while they were coming on a Hero Honda motor cycle (MN02/1206) at about 3.30 am.
The other person arrested along with the rebel leader is identified as Thangkhomang Lupheng alias Mangboi (28) of Maphou Dam.
He is presently staying at Langol Games village on rent, said police.
In a statement police said that during the course of their interrogation, they admitted that Paozangam was the brain behind the abduction cases of Victor Keishing son of former Chief Minister Rishang Keishing on December 19 last year from Singkap village, Telecom DGM J Lunkim on Feb 18 from Molnom village and German national Heinrich Wolfgang on March 23 from Maphou Dam.
They were also involved in the attack on the convoy of Ukhrul SP Manglemjao on December 8 in which one SI Ibomcha Meitei, Constable Sanjit Singh and cashier Noren Singh were killed.
The two also admitted that they earned Rs 50 lakhs from the abduction of the three persons, further said police.
Subsequent raid of the quarter (Type III, Qtr No 101) at Langol yielded one M-20 pistol and incriminating documents related to the KLA.
The source further said that on Paozangam's disclosure of the presence of a camp at Chaningpokpi, the police personnel took him along to raid the hideout.
While the police team were approaching Chaningpokpi, suspected KLA cadres who were lying in wait opened fire at the police team at about 3 am, further said the source.
In the ensuing gun fight the KLA leader escaped even though he was handcuffed.
Later during a search the police came upon the bullet riddled body of Paozangam, said the source.
Police recovered one AK magazine and 5 spent cartridges and 4 live round of AK- 47 from the site of the encounter.
The body of Paozangam is presently kept at RIMS morgue.
He received bullet wounds on the back with the bullet piercing through the chest.