Imphal, October 04 2010: Myanmar government has handed over eight Indians including five underground cadres, all from Manipur, who had been held in a Myanmar jail to Indian authorities through the Moreh Immigration officer.

The eight persons were held in a Myanmar jail for having entered Myanmar without valid documents.

Officials at Moreh said that they were handed over to the Moreh Immigration officer yesterday.

Out of the eight persons, five were UG cadres, three of them belonging to United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF), a signatory of the Suspension of Operation (SoO), one cadre each from the UNLF and KCP.

The rest were civilians, the source added.

The three civilians were Khundongbam Lamjingba (30) son of late Brojen, Leiphrakpam Ajit (28) son of Ibopishak and Laishram Anthony (24) son of Guni, both from Kakwa Pukhri Maning.

The UNLF cadres were identified as Yumlembam Dinesh @ Lamnganba (35) son of Shyambabu of Khurai Konsam Leikai, the KCP cadre as Naorem Gambhir (39) son of N Modhu of Tentha Heibung Mamang Leikai while the three UKLF cadres were Letkholal Haokip (31) son of Jangpao of Taikhong village of Chakpikarong, Jaminlun Lhungdim (20) son of Jamlet of the same village and Thangboi Haokip (18) son of Josheph of Thingkangphai village.

Police said that they were released by the Myanmar authority as a gesture of the growing Indo-Myanmar friendship.

After police produced them in a court, the three civilians have been released while the UGs have been sent to jail.

Police have taken five days remand in custody.

Among the civilians Lamjingba was arrested while crossing over to Myanmar from Thailand.

He had visited Thailand with all necessary travell documents, visa and passport, two years back in 2008 .

Recalling the ordeal experienced in the Myanmar jail, he said that he never thought he would be freed to return home during his days in Misho prison.

The prison is the dirtiest place, he has ever lived in, he added.

The other two youths said that they were caught by the Myanmar Army while crossing the international border at Moreh with liquor.

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