UKHRUL: Manipur Police additional director general (ADGP) Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo said two of the three individuals arrested in connection with the Khongbal killings has admitted to being part of the assault team involved in the attack that left three people dead and three others injured on October 19.
Addressing a press briefing at Police Headquarters in Mantripukhri, Lhatoo said intensive security operations were conducted by joint teams of Manipur Police, CRPF, CoBRA personnel following the October 19 attack at Sunulok Hill (Khongbal Tangkhul).
The role of the third arrested individual is being investigated, while efforts are underway to identify others involved in the incident, he said.
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During the intensified operations, security forces recovered 12 firearms, 1,095 rounds of ammunition and a cache of explosives. According to Lhatoo, the recoveries were made based on disclosures by the accused.
The firearms recovered included an INSAS rifle, an M16 rifle, an A1 rifle, an AK-47/Type-81 rifle, a 7.62 mm sniper rifle, a 5.56 mm Heckler & Koch rifle and three other firearms.
The explosives and related materials recovered included TNT slabs, PK explosive, gunpowder, Lethod shells, Pompi bombs, M61 rifle grenades, a Chinese hand grenade, handmade mortars and three detonators.
The arrested were identified as:
1. Heminthang Khongsai alias Lunthang Thangboi (21), son of Ginlenlal Khongsai of L. Chajang village, Imphal East district, was arrested near a culvert at Phailengkot village.
2. Lungunpao Kipgen alias Lugun (22), son of late Demkhosat Kipgen of C. Zoulen, Chingmang village, Imphal East district.
3. Seilal Haokip alias Alan (46), son of late Holthang Haokip of Laikot Chajang village, Imphal East district.
In a separate operation, joint teams of the Manipur Police, CRPF, CoBRA, BSF and Assam Rifles conducted an operation at the designated Suspension of Operations (SoO) camp at Sinai.
Seventeen individuals were detained after their identities reportedly did not match those of the listed cadres of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) associated with the camp. A thorough investigation is underway, Lhatoo said.
Ammunition and magazines were also reported missing from the camp, with authorities verifying the discrepancy against the weapons seized.
Joint helicopter operations were conducted in the sensitive area while the security operations were underway. Manipur director general of police Mukesh Singh also visited Sunulok Hill, Lhatoo added.
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