Huge cache of arms seized
Police deny arrest of girl, contend that she was looked after at PS
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 19 2009: A combined force of Imphal West district police commandos and 12 Maratha Light Infantry has seized a huge cache of arms and ammunitions from two different places in Imphal East and West districts during search operations today.

The arms and ammunitions were displayed to media persons this afternoon.

Addressing a press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Imphal West district police, L Kailun said that a combined team of Imphal West district police commandos and 12 MLI personnel conducted search operation in and around Nongmaikhong Mayai Leikai as revealed by S/S Sgt Major Jayenta that a huge quantity of arms and ammunitions were kept and concealed by Salam Dewan and his wife Memcha.

SSP IW, L Kailun (C) addressing press conference_ arms and ammunitions recovered by combined force

On reaching the house, they had already fled from the house and escaped.

However, their daughter, Bidyarani was found suffering from some kind of weakness and unconsciousness, the SSP said.

As there was none to attend to her, she was taken along with her local grandmothers Heisnam (N) Salam (O) Ningol Devi (60), wife of S Iboyaima and Oinam (N) Ningthoujam (O) Ashangbi Devi (60), wife of N Yaima of Nongmaikhong Mayai Leikai to New Life Health Clinic, Mayang Imphal and admitted there (OPD No 189/14/8/09) on August 14, SSP Kailun said.

One Dr Najma treated her.

He further said that she was brought to Mayang Imphal Police Station along with her grandmothers for safe custody as her condition improved.

The two elderly women had also refused to take her home due to doubt of security in the area as there were intermittent firings between the security forces and the armed militants.

Despite repeated information to take her, no one turned up till late in the evening, Kailun said.

She was then allowed to stay at Mayang Imphal PS with her grandmothers and a lady constable till August 18. Meanwhile, a press release issued by SSP Kailun stated that Bidyarani was handed over to one Heisnam Sanatomba (34), son of Yaiskul of Laphupat Tera Hiyangkhong the same evening with her grandmothers.

In another press release, SSP Kailun informed that one S/S Sgt major of the PLA identified as Sagolshem Bobby @ Roger @ Thoi @ Ahingcha (26), son of Yaima Meitei of Kakwa Nameirakpam Leikai, Benni Leirak was picked up by a combined team of Imphal West, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts police commandos and 12MLI today around 5am from the house of Ningthoujam (O) Mani (43), wife of Kulabidhu of Thongju Pechu Lampak.

From his disclosure, Salam Dewan (35), son of S Iboyaima of Nongmaikhong Mayai Leikai and Salam (O) Memcha (34), wife of Dewan (parents of Bidyarani) were arrested from Phoubakchao Litan Makhong, the SSP informed.

Bobby is said to have revealed that he joined the PLA in 2000 and got training in Sajik Tampak area and is said to belong to the Auxiliary/Fighting group of the PLA.

On his revelation, two AK-56 rifles with six magazines, 32 AK ammunitions, one lethod gun, 14 lethod bombs and three Chinese made hand grenades with detonators were recovered from the courtyard of one Athokpam Tomba (40), son of A Mohori of Yairipok Tera Urak, the press release stated.

At the same time, Salam Dewan and his wife Memcha have revealed that both of them actively helped the PLA by giving shelter and hoarding of arms and ammunitions for the last five to six years.

They keep in touch with the PLA members, informed the SSP, Many arms and ammunitions, assorted articles including 680 bullets of 7.62 SLR, 340 bullets of AK rifles, 25 lethod bombs, one Chinese hand grenade, one I-com hand set with charger, two pipe bombs, six bundles of circuit wires, fiv packets of nitrate salt, one cadmium battery, nine electronic detonators, one 27-detonators, two kgs of explosive materials, etc.

were recovered from various places in and around their house at Nongmaikhong, SSP Kailun announced.

The arms and ammunitions were displayed before the media persons.

CO of 12 MLI, Amardeep was also present at the press conference.