Imphal, December 02: Personnel of Imphal West Dist police apprehended a couple for swindling a sum of over Rs one lakh from several students by selling fake application forms of a medical institution from Kongpal Chingngambam Leikai this afternoon.

Talking to media-persons at his office this afternoon, Imphal West SP Ibocha identified the man as one Pheiroijam Kunjabihari (64) alias Kunjo alias Nilachandra alias Brajakishore alias Iboshan alias Chandrakeshore s/o (L) Anganhal of Sagolband Khamnam Leirak.

The man's wife has been identified as Salam Bala (34).Nilachandra who was produced by the SP before the mediapersons during the press briefing informed that he hud collected a total sum of Rs 1.11 lakhs from several students who had responded to his advertisement for MBBS admission published in the Kolkata based Telegraph's edition of 2004, July 24 and 25.Even though most of the students had sent their demand draft through the Punjab and Sind Bank, the total amount of money was withdrawn from the Imphal Urban Cooperative Bank, he added.

Mention may be made here Kunjabihari had published an advertisement in the "Telegragh" inviting applications from students wanting to pursue MBBS course.

The advertisement was signed by W Nilachandra, Director Medical Education and Research Imphal, Manipur.

Villagers allege: Indian Army personnel have been accused of using cattle to detect land mines in the interior areas of Manipur-Myanmar border as part of the counter insurgency operation to flush out militants from their hideouts.

According to reports received by the press, the Army personnel forcibly took away several numbers of cattle, heads to search for mines following information that underground outfits have planted the explosive devices to foil security force advances at the Indo-Myanmar border villages of Molcham and Selon in Chandel district.

Holding ends of long ropes tied at the neck of the domesticated animals, the Army personnel herd the cattle to vulnerable spots on the hill slopes, road sides, paddy fields and at thick jungles, alleged a source.

Comment