Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 12 2010:
Two individuals identified as Khoirom Santikumar (26) alias Thoujanba s/o late Gokulchand and late Thoibi and Meishanam Kaoba (29) alias Ibomcha s/o late Sama and Memma fled along with arms and ammunition when PLA's 253 mobile battalion was away on some work last morning, said a press release issued by the outfit's department of publicity chief GM Changjou.
The deserters deposited the arms and ammunition at the house of one Khuraijam Basan at Mayanglangjing Tamang as they sought contacts to surrender to security forces.
However, a team of PLA cadres who went in pursuit of the deserters managed to recover the weapons.
Taking along the two deserters, security forces have been harassing the family of Basan in the name of searching for the weapons which have been already recovered by the PLA.
Security forces are even trying to kidnap family members of Basan to take back the arms and ammunition as ransom, the outfit alleged.
Khuraijam Basan at whose home the two deserters deposited arms and ammunition, is not related to the RPF nor to its army wing PLA in any manner, the outfit clarified.
Meanwhile, it is reported that a combined team of Imphal West commandos and troops of Assam Rifles conducted an extensive search operation in Mayanglangjing Taning Leikai and Tamang Leikai early this morning.
However, there is no report of any arrest.