Probe into bomb attack at RB's residence : 9 held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 22 2010: In connection with the hand grenade attack at the Thangmeiband residence of former Chief Minister and Opposition leader in State Assembly Radhabinod Koijam in the evening of January 6, Imphal West District Police has so have arrested in all 9 cadres of the proscribed PREPAK and one KYKL cadre.

Addressing a press conference in this connection at the District Police Headquarters here today, SDPO of Imphal West Ibomcha Singh said that after the hand grenade attack, the district police has been investigating under the supervision of its Senior SP and so far 9 cadres of PREPAK and one KYKL cadre have been arrested.

Out of the arrested 9 PREPAK cadres, it has been established that some of them were also involved in recruitment of child soldiers, the SDPO said.

The nine UGs hauled up

Detailing the progress of the investigation, the SDPO informed that on the day of the attack itself the district police recovered the Honda Activa used by the attackers.

On the following day, Yumnam Ningol Elangbam Ongbi Bilashini Devi of Kanchikhul Mayai Leikai but staying at Sagolband Bijoy Govinda, who has connection with PREPAK was arrested.

She is still in judicial custody.

From her disclosure, the district police managed to apprehend one PREPAK cadre identified as Ngangbam Sagar (28) of Sagolband Moirang Leirak Akham Lampak on January 10 .

Sagar is working under S/S Cpl Elangbam Joychandra alias Inao alias Nanao alias Punshiba of PREPAK.

One mobile phone was seized from the possession of Sagar.

On January 16, the District Police Commandos apprehended six more UG cadres from different parts.

The arrested UG cadres are Moirangthem Monao alias Mohen alias Parimacha (26) of Tera Sayang Leirak, Laikhuram Munal alias Sanathoi (24) of Langjing Achouba Maning Leikai, Yambem Ibungochouba alias Ibomcha Meitei (34) of Moirangkampu Sajeb Maning Leikai, Chongtham Dev alias Devananda Meitei (29) of Wangkhei Thambalkhong, Ngangbam Dharmaraj alias Naotu (31) of Sagolband Moirang Leirak Akham Lampak and Chabungbam Boinao alias Priyoknta alias Demshan (28) of Langjing Achouba Maning Leirak.

Munal and Parimacha were directly involved in the bomb attack.

But Dev who was apprehended along with them is a cadre of the proscribed KYKL.

Furthermore, the district police arrested another PREPAK member, Salam Ongbi Sosim (44) of Ithai Lairok but staying at Thangmeiband Hijam Dewan Leikai on the disclosure of Parimacha on January 19.On January 20 too, the district police managed to arrest another female PREPAK cadre identified as RK Sushitra Devi (38) of Sagolband Bijoy Govinda as well as another male cadre identified as Khoisnam Gunaband Singh alias John alias Ibungo alias Ibomcha (31) of Uripok Khoisnam Leikai from separate places.

One 9 mm pistol with magazine and 5 live rounds of ammunition were also recovered from the possession of Gunaband, the SDPO disclosed.

The police officer informed that the hand grenade which was used in the attack had been given to Sosim by RK Sushitra in the afternoon of January 6.Sushitra is the sister of S/S Lt Rozer alias Sana alias Ramananda of PREPAK.

On the other hand, Ibochouba was involved in recruitment of child soldier, the SDPO said, while informing that the district police would continue with its investigation into the case.

Meanwhile, on receipt of information about the presence of armed cadres of KYKL, a combined team of Thoubal Police Commandos and personnel of 21 AR conducted search operation in the general area of Arong from 8 am onwards yesterday and reported arrested one harbourer of KYKL cadres at around 11.30 am.

Identifying the arrested harbourer as Anganjao alias Mayai Ibungo alias Moreh (34) s/o S Tamlo of Nongmaikhong Awang Leikai, Senior SP of Thoubal Clay Khongsai in a statement informed that on questioning the individual revealed that he harboured KYKL cadres and helped them in transportation of weapons.