Four killers of Chowkidar and son surrender, one absconding
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 27 2011: Imphal East District Police have arrested four persons who were allegedly involved in the killing of Chowkidar of Irilbung Water Supply Scheme Soram Ibomcha and his son Yaiphu while another person who was also involved in the crime is absconding.

The arrested persons have been identified as Takhellambam Jibol (30) s/o Tomba, Takhellambam Shakhenba (26) s/o Lemba, Langthram Radhabinod (28) s/o Ibobi, all residents of Chanam Sandrok Mamang Leikai and Keisham Tendon alias Roshan (28) s/o Kullabidhu of Chanam Sandrok Awang Leikai.

The absconder has been identified as Takhellambam Romeo alias Kiran (28) s/o Ibobi alias Rajen of Chanam Sandrok Mamang Leikai.

Talking to mediapersons in this regard today, DIG Clay Khongsai, who is also in charge SP of Imphal East district, informed that out of the four arrested persons, Jibol, Radhabinod and Shakhenba were handed over to the police by their family members on December 24 while Tenden was handed over today.

Following specific information that most of the people involved in the killing of father-son duo are from Chanam Sandrok area, an operation was launched in Chanam Sandrok area on December 21.During the course of the operation, all four of them were not present at their respective houses.

Accordingly, the police gave strong instruction to their family members, who handed them over to the police.

The four alleged killers who have been handed over to the police by their family members

Parading the four arrested persons in front of mediapersons, Clay Khongsai further informed that during the course of interrogation, it came to light that arrested Jibol and absconder Romeo abducted the Chowkidar and his son from their Irilbung Water Supply Scheme quarters.

The pistol used in the abduction belongs to Romeo.

From there, they were taken to Lemba village on foot through the paddy fields.

Upon arrival at Lemba village, Shakhenba, Radhabinod and Roshan brought eatables and cloths and they also took turn in guarding over the abducted father-son duo.

The police officer said that killing of the abducted father-son duo was not related just to ransom demand.

Since most of the abductors were known to the father-son duo, fearing of the consequences in case of releasing the Chowkidar and his son, made the abductors to take the decision to kill them.

Asserting that one Laishram Ranbir alias Eshel (40) of Uchiwa Awang Leikai, who was killed by Imphal West District Police Commandos at Narankongil in the intervening night of December 20 and 21 was also involved in conniving over the abduction and killing of the Chowkidar and his son, the DIG informed that absconder Romeo was in contact with leader of KCP (MTF) Kesho Meetei through his mobile phone every now and then.

The DIG said that the even though the Chowkidar and his son were abducted at gun-point at around 9.30 pm of December 7, none of the family members reported the matter to the police in time.

It was on the basis of newspaper reports published on December 9 that the police took up a suo-moto case and started investigation.

Police have the adequate manpower and strength for launching massive operation, but were laying low waiting for an opportune moment in consideration of the safety of the abducted father-son duo when they were found shot dead.

Had the family members reported the matter in time, police could have rescued them, he asserted.

The police officer informed that as thorough investigation of the arrested four persons is still pending, real motive behind the abduction and the subsequent killing of the Chowkidar and his son is yet to be ascertained.

Moreover, there is also the need to arrest and interrogate the absconding Romeo.

Among the four arrested persons, Tenden told mediapersons that he is not related with any UG groups.

On the day of the abduction, he only came along with Romeo to Irilbung when the latter requested him for accompanying to the meat shop and it was not at his own accord that he had transported goods from one place to another.

It may be recalled here that the bullet-riddled bodies of 60-year old Chowkidar Soram Ibomcha and his 25-year old son Yaiphu alias Geetchandra were found abandoned atop Keitanlok hillock of Lemba Tangkhul village under Yairipok Police Station in the morning of December 17.With hands tied from behind and eyes blindfolded, the bodies were found lying prostrated with faces down over a blanket.

Both the father and the son bore one fatal bullet marks behind their ears.

Police recovered one empty cartridge of 9 mm pistol and a projectile from scene of the crime.