Eight including PLA bomb expert and woman cadre arrested

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, December 23, 2019: Manipur police has arrested eight persons including a bomb expert and a woman cadre who were involved in series of blast in Manipur including the Thangal Bazar blast that injured five police personnel and a civilian that occurred on November 5.

The state police have so far arrested 18 persons in connections with the blast series that occurred in the recent past.

The eight persons were arrested on Friday after 10 were arrested earlier.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Themthing Ngashangva on Saturday told reporters that acting on a credible information of the presence of some of the accused individuals who are wanted in connection with the recovery of arms and ammunition from KBS brick firm, Patsoi on October 29 a team of Imphal West district commando along with women police personnel rushed to Kakching and arrested rushed to Kakching and arrested Irom Thaja alias Lata Devi, 29, wife of Hijam Suresh of Langthabal Kunja Heinou Makhong and five other associates namely, Khundom Thoibi Devi, 37, wife of Kh. Rana alias Amu of Awang Leikinthabi, Ngangom Roshita alias Abe, 37, wife of Ng Rajeshor of Awang Leikinthabi, Elangbam Inaobi, 54, son of (L) Ibopishak of Keirak Mayai Leikai, Moirangthem Ratan Meitei, 47 son of .M Ibouchou of Kakching Moirangthem Leikai and Sandham Ibomcha, 37, son of (L) Lukhoi of Keirak Khongnang Leikai.

Ngashangva said Thaja alias Lata Devi was the main accused in connection with most of the series of bomb blast including the Thangal bazar blast.

He said the arrested associates were actively involved in concealing PLA cadres, harbouring and providing tactical support to carry out terrorist activities. They were also involved in helping raising funds and providing support to the PLA cadres as per instruction of the commander of the group, major Rishikanta alias Ranbir based in Tamu, Myanmar, he added.

Thaja disclosed the police that she joined the group in 2017 through one Bashanta of Andro and Manikanta of Lakhinagar, Assam and presently working under the command of Rishikanta. She told police that one improvised explosive device (IED) was planted and exploded by Manikanta on October 1, 2019 at Kakching Khongnang Mari Phangba. Thaja further disclosed to police that huge cache of arms and ammunitions, grenades and IEDs recovered from the room of one Hijam Romesh presently staying at KBS brick field, Patsoi on October 29 were kept concealed by her to be used by PLA cadres, said DIG.

She further disclosed that the IED exploded at Thangal bazar on November 5 by Manikanta was also transported by her including the two IEDs recovered from Andro.

During investigation Paonam Manikanta Singh alias Amuyaima, 31, son of P Arun Singh of Jirighat Lakhinagar, Assam and Thiyam Roshan Singh ,44, son of (L) Th Tomba of Singjamei Chingamakha Kshetri Leikai were arrested on Friday last from electricity office and Pishumthong near Manipur college at 1.50 pm and 3.40 pm respectively.

Manikanta disclosed that on October 1 at 12.40 am he planted and exploded an IED at Kakching Khongnang Mari Phangba and another IED was planted and exploded at Telipati on October 27, Ngashangva said.

Manikanta also disclosed that the Thangal bazar blast was also carried out by him and the IED was transported by Thaja which was brought from Moreh to Imphal, said DIG.

Manikanta was given a sum of Rs. 30,000 for triggering the IEDs and he was further instructed to go at Imphal valley and trigger blast in some area of Imphal and proceed to Toloi, Ukhrul district. From the instruction of Rishikanta Manikanta came from Toloi to meet Roshan at Pishumthong to carry out nefarious activities, said Ngashangva.

The arrestees have been handed over to Imphal police station for further necessary action and have been taken into police custody till December 30.

Ngashangva said charge-sheet will be submitted at the earliest. He appealed the public not to allege police personnel without proper evidence as police are serving for the people to maintain peaceful society despite of crimes and antisocial elements.