Newmai News Network
Imphal | October 25
Three cadres of the Nehlun faction of Kuki National Front (KNF-N) allegedly involved in a recent shootout that had killed three civilians including a minor in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district were arrested, police claimed on Monday.
On October 12 morning, some well-armed miscreants suspected to be cadres of the KNF(N) opened fire towards a gathering related to the condolence service at B Gamnom village for four KNLA militants killed in a gunfight with the security forces earlier on October 10. In the indiscriminate firing, two civilians including the chief of N Kholen village succumbed to bullet injuries at the spot while a severely injured minor died later in the hospital.
Addressing a press conference, Imphal West superintendent of police (SP), Dr S Ibomcha informed that three cadres of KNF(F) involved in the shootout incident were arrested in a joint operation by personnel of Imphal West district and troops of 15 Assam Rifles yesterday.
He identified the arrested cadres Seigoulun Singsit (20), Henminlun Misao @ Kevin (29), and Hentinseh Singsit @ SP (30).
The police officer said that the joint team of security forces arrested the trio during an operation at Moidangpok and New Keithelmanbi areas along NH-37. The police officer said that the joint team first arrested Seigoulun Singsit from near an oil pump at Moidangpok last night, around 9:30 pm. During preliminary examination, the security forces came to know that Singsit is an active cadre of KNF (N) and working under the command of self-styled vice chairman Mangsat Haokip of the faction. He is also involved in kidnapping, extortion of money from the general public and looting vehicles plying on NH-2, the police officer also alleged.
From his disclosure, the police further came to know that the arrested cadres along with six other cadres of KNF (N) were involved in the October 12 shootout incident.
In a follow up action to his disclosure, the combined team rushed to Motbung and Sapermeina area of Kangpokpi district along with the arrested person. In the operation, Henminlun Misao and Hentinseh Singsit were arrested from their respective houses, the police officer informed.
Henminlun was arrested early today morning, around 3:30am. One 9mm Pistol and one magazine loaded with five live rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered from the possession of Henminlun, he added. Singsit was arrested later around 4:30 am. One.32 pistol and one magazine loaded with three .32 calibre ammunition and one mobile phone were recovered from his possession.
Further operations are being launched to nab the other accused persons in the firing incident, he added.
