Imphal, April 29: A combined force of Imphal West District Commandos and 22 Maratha Light Infantry arrested an active member of PREPAK during a search operation conducted at Uripok Huidrom Leikai at around 1.05 pm today.

According to a statement issued by SP of Imphal West District, Clay Khongsai, the search operation was conducted acting on credible information one active member of PREPAK identified as Gurumayum Nilachandra Sharma alias Biru alias Sanajaoba alias Ngangang (30) s/o G Gopal Sharma of Uripok Huidrom Leikai was arrested from his house.

On further interrogation, Nilachandra disclosed that he joined the outfit in June 1996 through one Momocha Singh of Thangmeiband.

He was arrested by the police in August 1996 and after being freed on bail in February 1997, he rejoined the outfit in December 2006 and has been working under Momocha who is now the Commander Project-I of the outfit, the SP informed.

The Sp further informed that in the follow up action another active member of PREPAK identified as Soibam Momocha Singh alias Momo alias Somi alias Alex (32) s/o (L) S Gambhir Singh of Thangmeiband Meisnam Leikai was also arrested along with one M-20 pistol with one magazine having 6 live rounds of M-20 ammunition from his possession.

On interrogation, Momocha disclosed that he joined PREPAK in January 1994 through one late Tombi Singh of Bamon Leikai and received three months basic military training at Eastern Nagaland.

He was arrested in May 1996 by the Army and rejoined the outfit in November 2006 through one Lucky Singh, a self styled project officer of the outfit.

The SP claimed that both the arrested PREPAK cadres were assigned to collect huge amount of money from various Department and general public in the name of the outfit for party fund.

They have also served demand letters to the authorities of RIMS, Horticulture Department, Manipur University, etc.

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