Accused trio in killing of migrant workers held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 10 2010: Three RPF/PLA activists including a woman reportedly involved in killing non-local people have been apprehended by Imphal West commandos even as the district police pulled up three PREPAK cadres from different places.

The arrested UG cadres were paraded before media persons at commando complex this afternoon along with the weapons seized from their possession.

Speaking to media persons, Imphal West DSP (Ops) S Ibomcha said that the RPF/PLA cadres involved in killing non-local people were arrested last night.

The three accused persons being paraded at Cdo complex

A specific information about some cadres and overground workers of the RPF loitering around a bailey bridge connecting Kakhulong, Paona Keithel to Keishampat with the intention to shoot non-local people was received at about 5 pm yesterday.

Acting on the tip off, police commandos mounted stringent vigilance around the area.

However, two suspects managed to disappear among the crowd.

But later, all the suspects were pulled up from their respective houses.

First, Mutum Tarun alias Bung (35) of Uripok Khaidem Leikai but staying in a rented room at Naoremthong was pulled up at around 8 pm.

Acting on his disclosure, Shijagurumayum Kokoton alias Raj (47) was nabbed from his Keishampat Thokchom Leikai residence.

Kokoton's wife, Bijaya alias Bema (43) was also pulled up for her involvement in the same criminal activity.

DSP Ibomcha said that Tarun, Kokoton and Bijaya were involved in killing a non-local balloon hawker at Keishampat last month.

One pistol with three live rounds reportedly given to Kokoton by former Division IV Secretary Captain Oman at the time of shooting the non-local balloon hawker was also recovered from Kokoton.

It has also been known that the trio were planning to kill non-local people at the command of the outfit's Division IV in-charge Sgt Maj Thoiba under an operation code named Wakching Operation, DSP Ibomcha said.

Kokoton and Tarun reportedly assured Sgt Maj Thoiba that they shoot a non-local man before 9 pm yesterday.

According to their modus operandi, Bijaya used to carry weapons and then she would hide the weapons at safer places after executing their activities, Ibomcha said.

Meanwhile, another team of Imphal West commandos nabbed three PREPAK cadres from Singjamei Super Market at about 1 pm today.

The PREPAK cadres working under Project I were coming to extort money from shop-keepers when they were nabbed by the commandos.

They have been identified as Thongbam Somendro alias Tonu alias Yambung (43) of Kakwa Lamdaibung, Khumukcham Bablu ( 31) of Pishum Ningom Leikai and Maibam Raju alias Vicky (31) of Khagempalli Pankha.

One 9 mm pistol with six live rounds were seized from their possession, the DSP added.