State police nabs PREPAK cadres in connection with Koirengei Blast

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, May 11, 2018: State police has arrested five PREPAK members associated with the Koirengei blast that killed two BSF Jawans and three civilians including two ladies.

Another cadre of PREPAK (Pro) was also arrested with an IED, which was supposed ‘to use to attack security forces’.

The arrests came just after chief minister, N. Biren Singh’s assertion to hunt until those involved in the blast are arrested.

The blast was triggered on Wednesday afternoon by the gate of 49 BSF camp at Koirengei in Imphal.

The arrested PREPAK cadres are identified as Thoudam Suresh, 27, son of Th. Tomba Singh of Leishangthem Thoudam Mamang Leikai, Thoubal; Thoudam Aboy, 30, son of Th. Ibocha of Leishangthem Thoudam Maning Leikai, Thoubal, at present residing at Mantripukhri Chumbreimakhong, Imphal; Thokchom Ranjit Singh, 58, son of Th. Yaima of Langol type-2, Imphal; Tharongoubi Leima, 55, wife of Ranjit, Kumudini Devi, 60, wife of late L. Iboyaima of Shamushang Lairembi Leirak, Imphal.

The PREPAK (Pro) cadre was identified as Kangabam Roshan, 27, son of late K. Gogo Singh of Thangabat Mapal Imphal East.

Manipur DGP L.M. Khoute on Friday narrating of their arrests told the reporters at Imphal West Police that Aboy triggered the IED using a remote control device.

Police arrested Suresh from his home on Thursday morning. He disclosed the police that he was a member of proscribed PREPAK working under one Erei. Suresh disclosed that as directed by Erei, on May 8, he went to collect an IED along the Thoubal college road and met two persons and collected. There he met Aboy at Singjamei who was sent by Erei.

They stayed at Mantripukhri and later went to the house of Tharongoubi at Langol. On the next day they went to Koirengei and a woman known as Ichan was sent by Erei. Ichan with Aboy went ahead while Erei remained at CMC junction and they planted the IED at Koirengei near the BSF gate.

Ranjit, Tharongoubi and Kumudini were the three associates who facilitated Suresh and Aboy. Further investigation is going on to establish more evidences and arrest the remaining associates, said Khoute.

Roshan disclosed the police that he is working under the command of self-styled major Jiten, PREPAK (progressive group) who is presently staying at Tamu, Maynmar. He frequently visited Moreh in the early part of this year and met Jiten to procure IEDs to attack security forces. He disclosed the police that he was directed to target security forces along the highway at any opportune moment, said the DGP.