Imphal, September 10: In a major breakthrough towards cracking the Manipur University Students� union (MUSU) president abduction case, a combined force of Imphal East and West police today picked up three PLA cadres, out of whom two are said to be involved in the abduction of Kh Ashokumar.

The three underground cadres were apprehended during a cordon and search operation conducted at uripok area today morning, according to Imphal West SP Clay Khongsai.

Briefing newspersons at his office this evening, the SP said following the deteriorating law and order situation in the capital districts, commando personnel of Imphal East and West police launched search operations at Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak, Tourangbam Leikai and Uripok Sorbon Thingel that initially resulted in the arrest of the PLA trio as well as three NSCN (K) cadres.

Detailing on the search operation which started at around 3.30 am with the commandos sealing entrance and exit points of the residential areas, Clay informed that three NSCN (K) cadres were also arrested while trying to escape.

One 9 mm pistol along with a magazine and five rounds have been recovered from them, the SP added.

Moments after the K cadres fell into the police trap two PLA members were also caught attempting to breach the dragnet, he said while contending the third PLA man was picked up on revelation of the two during preliminary interrogation.

Naming one of the three pla men as Laishram Lincoln alias Nicolai alias Naokhomba alias thoiba (35) informed to be Division IV assistant secretary and directly involved in the abduction of the MUSU president, the SP also conveyed of raiding Naharup Pangong area based on information provided by the PLA men to track kh Ashokumar.

Lincoln originally hails from Singjamei Naorem Leikai but his present address is said to be Naoremthong Khullem.

Father�s name is informed to L Modhu Singh.

Lincoln joined the outfit in February 1994 and after being arrested on three earlier occasions rejoined the underground organisation in November 2004.On being produced before the newspersons Lincoln confessed of Ashokumar being abducted as the student leader along with other companions bashed up a PLA cadre and confiscating the arm.

The cadre approached Ashokumar in connection with a proposal concerning a programme slated for September 25 to which the MUSU president curtly rejected on ground that prior approval of the KYKL is necessary, said Lincoln.

As the deliberation hotted up with the PLA cadre questioning involvement of KYKL in students� activities the MUSU members overpowered and pounded him subsequently snatching the small arm, narrated the Lincoln while adding that in reaction PLA reinforcement arrived and took into custody Ashokumar.

The two other PLA men arrested today have been identified as Tongbram Nungshangba alias Bimol (34) s/o T Balahari of Uripok Sorbon Thingel and Gurumayum Nimaichand Sharma (31) s/o G Lalbapu Sharma of Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak.

Nungshangba joined the PLA in March 1993 and was arrested in 1996 before closing rank with the outfit three years later.

On the other hand, Nimaichand started working for the PLA since March 1998.Both were Division IV activists.

One of the nabbed NSCN (K) cadres is identified as Chujanglung Daingmei (23) s/o Khaimuachungpao Daingmei of Khoupum Thanagong presently staying at Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak.

He joined the UG group in June 2004 (army No 14474).Identity of the second K cadre is established as Panmei Kalingong alias Kaling (21) s/o Poupoklung of Lamshang Chingkhulong Village and joined the outfit in August 2005.

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