Imphal, Sep 06: A Manipuri separatist leader and his aide, who have been arrested here, were remanded to judicial custody and lodged in the Central prison today.

Ibotombi alias Khundongbam, the leader of banned outfit Manipur People's Army, and his aide Salam Bunk were arrested from a city hospital by a Manipuri special police team yesterday.

As per original plan, the duo was to be taken to Imphal last night itself, where Ibotombi was wanted in many cases.




However, considering the "health condition" of Ibotombi, who had undergone a spinal compression surgery, the Judicial Magistrate ordered his Judicial custody till September 19, after which both were taken to Coimbatore Central prison, police sources said.

The Manipur police team was making efforts to bring in a special aircraft to airlift them, the sources said, adding that both were likely to be taken from here on September 8.A reliable source informed The Sangai Express that an additional team has been sent to Coimbatore today to escort back the rebel leader and his aide.

However it is not yet certain when the duo will be brought back to Imphal as there is the question booking flights and other details, explained the source.

The source refused to divulge the number of personnel detailed to bring back the UNLF leader as well as the leader of the advanced team which went to Coimbatore for the arrest.

The UNLF leader who is also known as Tomba had a key role in the armed struggle by the UNLF's Manipur People's Army and is said to be the second in command.

He is believed to have arrived here on August 22.He underwent a surgery for two compressions in the spinal cord.

The interception of a phone call made by Tomba to a UNLF base in Manipur by the Military Intelligence wing revealed his whereabouts.

Immediately, the Intelligence Bureau and the Manipur Police coordinated with the Coimbatore city police and Tombo was brought under surveillance and kept under watch for eight days.

A search was on for Tombo for the last two decades and the Manipur Govt had announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh.

He was a "proclaimed offender" for declaring a war against the Indian Govt, seeking independent Nationhood for Manipur.

A team headed by the Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore City, Karan Singha arrested Tomba, and his companion.

They have been remanded to judicial custody and lodged in Coimbatore Central prison.

A laptop, cell phones, Rs 35,000 in cash and clothes were seized.

Pictures relating to a centre run by the Manipur People's Army for training activists in loading rifles, AK-47, light machine guns and using rocket launchers were also recovered, sources said.

Besides picking up a student who is suspected to have come to the hospital to see Tomba, the police secured nearly 20 Manipuri students studying here for questioning.
(Agencies and Staff Reporter).

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