The arrested individual was allegedly planning to plant explosives along the Tiddim Road ahead of Republic Day.
TFM Desk
Bishnupur police on Wednesday arrested a man with alleged links with the proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) along with arms and ammunition.
The arrested individual has been identified as Khundongbam Lanjingba Singh (40) S/o Kh Brojendro Singh of Wangkhei Ningthem Pukhri Mapal, Imphal East District. He is said to have revealed himself as the nephew of a top leader of the UNLF, Pambei Khudongbam.
According to sources, acting on a reliable input that some cadres of the UNLF are planning to plant explosive devices and target security forces in Bishnupur District on the eve of the upcoming Republic Day, teams of CDO- BPR led by Addl SP (Ops) O Wangkhomba assisted by CDO OC Y Shaktishen and a column of 29 AR under the overall supervision of SP Bishnupur conducted a cordon and search operation at Ngakchoupokpi area.
During the cordon and search operation, one of the teams came across two persons along the Inter-Village Road near Khwairakpam Yangoi Ningthou Temple in a suspicious manner. As the team approached them, both of them tried to flee. During the chase, the team caught hold of one person along with a polythene bag while the other person escaped from the place, sources said.
Immediately, all teams were called in and a massive manhunt was launched in the lake area of Ngakchoupokpi area. On examination, the following items were recovered from Lanjingba’s possession inside the polythene bag: One 0.32 mm Pistol; One 0.32 mm Pistol magazine; One M20 pistol magazine; Eight live rounds of 0.32 mm; One IED gelatin pack weighing 415 gms; Two detonators; One exide battery (12V) power source; One electronic safety fuse; One Cordless remote control initiator; One Duracell (9V) batteries; and one SUV (Black Hyundai Tucson) without any registration number.
On questioning, Lanjingba revealed that he is working under the instructions of one major Nongdon of the UNLF. He collected the items from one Bobo from Wangkhei Keithel Ashangbi to deliver it to an unknown person at Khwairakpam and was arrested during the meeting. He also revealed that they were planning to plant the device in Tiddim road before Republic Day, the source added.
The arrested person along with the seized items was handed over to Bishnupur PS and a case has been registered. A massive search is being carried out to arrest the other person who escaped, added the release.