Three extortionists arrested

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, February 26, 2020: Manipur Police has arrested three individuals who have demanded a sum of Rs 1 crore each from various banks located in Imphal city contractors and private financial firms, using the banner KCP Angamba Group.

They were apprehended on February 19 by a joint team of Manipur Police and Bengaluru police, and brought them back to Imphal on Tuesday evening.

The individuals were identified as Sarangthem Gyaneshwor alias Gopi alias Gopeshwor, 45, son of late Dhaballo of Kongpal Chanam Leikai, ‘self styled’ finance secretary of KCP (Angamba Group), Lairenlakpam Manihar, 47, son of late Dokhne Singha of Leirenkhul Hailakandi, Assam and Thangjam Nandakishor, 35, son of Leihao of Jaribon Porbo-kitten Part II, Hailakandi, Assam.

Superintendent of police, Imphal West, K. Meghachandra told reporters on Tuesday that the City Police received information that an outfit, KCP (Angamba Group), under the command of secretary Pari Meitei made a demand of Rs 1 crore each from the chairmen/general managers of some banks located at Paona Bazaar warning them to hand over the amount to the outfit on or before February 25.

The demands were made using postal service and mobile phone through which the victims were asked to deposit the amounts in two different SBI accounts, warning them of serious consequences for failure, he added.

A case was registered by City Police and an investigation was launched. It was learned that one of the accused was at Bengaluru and the information was passed to Bengaluru Police for their assistance.

A team of Manipur Police led went to Bengaluru on February 19 and with help from Bengaluru police, arrested the main accused Gyaneshwor along with two associates from a rented house at Ashwathappa building, Gorangunte Palya.

They were produced before the Court concerned at Bengaluru and were taken into transit remand for a period of seven days till Wednesday.

The main accused Sarangthem Gyaneshwor revealed that he used to run a micro finance firm called Golden Super Service Micro Finance Investment Private Limited at Uripok Tourangbam Leikai and explained that it became bankrupt after many failed to pay back the dues.As many investors came to him demanding their money, Gyaneshwor fled to Cachar, Assam, before fleeing further to Chennai and then to Bengaluru some months back. At Bengaluru, he suddenly had the idea of creating a KCP faction and extorting money from banks in Imphal. He prepared about 70 letterheads and a seal and started sending extortion letters to various banks, contractors and micro finance institutes, the police officer said.

Gyaneshwor revealed that he used the SBI bank accounts of the two associates and so far they have collected a sum of Rs 2 lakh from some individuals, he added.

Three mobile phones, six sim cards, a seal bearing name of comrade Pari, secretary finance, KCP (Angamba Group) and other items were seized from their possession.