Newmai News Network
December 13
IMPHAL: Three cadres of the NSCN (K) including a Kilonser of the outfit were arrested in Imphal during a search operation conducted by a police team in Imphal city last night. Police described the arrest of the three as a major achievement of the police in counter insurgency operations.
Police picked up SK Losii Peter Poumai, his younger brother SK David Poumqi (30) and S. Xhavei Poumai (23), all from Ngairi Raidulomei village in Senapati district. A statement issued by the SP Imphal Clay Khongsai said Peter is a kilonser of Sepoumaramth Region and is the finance chief of NSCN (K) Manipur region.
The statement said following specific information about presence of some senior leaders of the NSCN (K) at Paona bazar area of Imphal city last evening, six Police teams were pressed into action to nab the militants. During the search operations, Police picked up the three NSCN (K) members from a house.
The NSCN (K) is currently holding cease-fire with the Centre and peace process is on. Police did not recover any weapon from the arrested cadres but seized Rs 1.5 lakh in cash and other incriminating documents including two demand letters from their possession.
The statement said the cash and a notebook, which recorded details of money collection and the outfit’s expenditure, were recovered from the kilonser. One demand letter of Rs 50,000 was recovered from the possession of David. The letter addressed to the president and secretary of Imphal-Moreh Bus Asociation was signed by Major S. Hiipuni, a kilonser in charge of trade and commerce.
Police also recovered a letter addressed to the general manager of the Senapati district industries centre asking the official to deduct 5 per cent of the fund for weaving scheme and another 24 per cent deduction from the salaries of the employees working in the centre. The demand note was recovered from the third cadre.
Police said that the amount recovered from the cadres was extorted by them from the public, contractors and others. Police produced the three before the court of chief judicial magistrate first class Imphal today. The court ordered police remand of the three till December 23. Interrogations are on.
Speaking to media persons during a display of the cash and documents seized from their possession at the commando barracks, the SP said the police raid was conducted as a part of the district police’s effort to free the city and greater Imphal areas from militants. He said there are reports that militants are present in Imphal areas.
Police said that this is the first time Manipur police arrested a Kilonser of the NSCN (K).