Source: The Sangai Express / PTI
New Delhi, June 29 2009:
Delhi Police today claimed that the banned Manipuri outfit Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) was running three training camps abroad, including two in Bangladesh.
Police, which arrested Raj Kumar Raghunath Singh (37) from south Delhi yesterday, also claimed that the outfit collects two per cent cut on all the contracts awarded in the State and 1.5 per cent from the salary of employees.
"The KYKL has two camps in Bangladesh and one camp in Burma.
They are using sophisticated weapons like AK-47, Rocket Launcher and SLR," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Alok Kumar said.
The Special Cell arrested Singh yesterday from South Extension around 1:30 pm following investigations into a tip-off from Manipur Police and HQ 57 Mountain Division that he was regularly visiting Delhi to take shelter and collect money for militant activities.
Singh, wanted in several cases of murder, extortion, kidnapping and unlawful activities at behest of KYKL, was also planning to set up a base in the Capital, he said.
"The purported objective of KYKL is to rebuild Manipuri society by clearing it of all vices like immoral activities, drug peddling and corruption.
But KYKL actually indulge in extortion in a big way sparing none.
"They get a two per cent cut on all the contracts awarded in Manipur and 1.5 per cent cut from the salary given," Kumar said.
During interrogation, Kumar claimed, Singh disclosed that he joined the outfit in 1992 as a 2nd Lieutenant.
Towards the end of 2001, he said, the outfit launched an anti-corruption campaign (Operation New Kangleipak) to "clean up" the educational system in the State and to gain publicity.
While the outfit continues its activities, it has also pledged open support to other armed groups.
The KYKL, a Meitei armed group formed in January 1990, is actively involved in kidnapping and extortion of money from people for the purpose of disruptive activities in order to "overawe the sovereignty, integrity and unity of India", Kumar said.
The outfit, which primarily operates in the four valley districts of Imphal East, Bishenpur, Thoubal and Imphal West in Manipur, had suffered a major setback when two top leaders�'Chairman' N Oken and 'Commander-in-Chief' N Thouba Singh�were arrested in 1996 .
At that time, a large number of cadre in the lowerranks cadre either deserted the outfit or surrendered, Kumar said.
In 1996, the outfit split into�the KYKL (O), led by Namoijam Oken and KYKL (T) led by Achou Toijamba.
However, after five years of inter-group rivalry, the Oken and Toijamba factions decided to reunite in February 2002 .
Kumar claimed that Singh told investigators that the move was prompted by the "purported objective of unity among various outfits in the region".
Contacts are being made with Manipur Police to get more details in this regard, he said.
However, police was silent about reports that a Manipuri actress was also caught with him who was later released.
When contacted, a senior police official refused to comment.