Imphal: A member of the NSCN (Niki Sumi) faction was arrested by security forces in Jiribam district on Wednesday for his alleged involvement in a series of kidnappings and extortion activities along National Highway-37.
The accused, identified as Gaisinglung Meiringmei alias Ronald, 46, son of Digongthu Meiringmei from Mukti Samjang village under Nungba police station in Noney district, was apprehended at around 4:40 pm on Thursday after ‘a dramatic pursuit across the Jiri River’.
Acting on specific input regarding the presence of armed militants operating in Kamranga, Jiribam, a joint team of Jiribam district police and 38 Assam Rifles launched a well-coordinated operation in the area. Following surveillance and verification, the raid was conducted near Hill Cross English School around 4:00 pm, said a police statement.
During the operation, the team encountered an individual matching the suspect’s description. On spotting the security personnel, the man attempted to flee towards the Jiri River and jumped into the water, trying to escape into Cachar district of Assam. Security forces pursued him some by swimming and others using a nearby boat and successfully apprehended him mid-river, it added.
During preliminary interrogation, the arrested individual confessed to being an active member of the NSCN (Niki Sumi) and admitted he was in Kamranga to extort money from the public on behalf of the outfit. He also claimed involvement in several kidnapping and extortion cases reported along the NH-37 stretch, it said.
The individual was handed over to Jiribam police station for further action.
