Imphal, September 14: One IRB man of the 4th Bn was over powered by the people of Singjamei Chingamakha while way laying and trying to �ostensibly� extort money from some individuals with whom he had an altercations at a liquor vendor earlier in the evening.

However members of the Salai Apunba Nupi Lup, Singjamei and meira paibis of Singjamei maintained the IRB man must be a part of the hooded men gang, who have spread terror in certain areas of Imphal during the last few months, looting houses.

Late this evening at about 8.30 pm, words streamed in at the offices of the daily papers that a member of the hooded men have been held and taken away by police commandos of Imphal West.

After the initial round of interrogation, a press conference was held today about 10 pm at the office premises of the SP Imphal West where the accused was paraded and where the aggrieved parties were made to spell out their side of the story.

The accused, an IRB man (number 01320159), Sh Surjit Sharma of Sekta Makha Leikai said that he along with a friend from Thangmeiband identified as KT went to a liquor vendor at North AOC to have a few drinks.

There they met some other people and before long they got into a verbal duel.

Soon after the other party left, but incensed by the argument, the IRB man and his friend went after them in a Kinetic Honda and over took them at Naorem Leikai near Chingamakha Model Club.

The other party, S Hemanta, a nephew of a DIG, who was also present said that they were stopped and the IRB man and his friend snatched Rs 8000 from them.

After a fracas broke out, members of the Salai Apunba Nupi Lup, Model Club, Pishumthong Oinam Leikai Women Assn, Yumnam Leikai Meira Paibi Lup came out and managed to over come the IRB man though his friend escaped.

The IRB man also opened a number of blank fire to scare away the local people who had come to investigate the matter.

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