Imphal: A mob attacked a police team led by a senior police officer at Longja village, Chakpikarong sub-division, Chandel district on Wednesday preventing to arrest a Kuki drug and arm Kingpin who happened to be a leader of United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF).
According to police, the incident occurred at around 9.30 pm. Windshields of at least two vehicles including vehicle of the additional superintendent of police, Chandel district were damaged.
A a police team conducted an operation based on an information of presence of Lunkhopao Haokip who is one of a drug kigpin in the area conducted an operation. Police have been under surveillance for several days. Before he was seen in Manipur he was first located at Kolkata. He stayed for 3-4 days in Churachandpur, and then he was involved in extortion and drug activities, said a police source.
Police confirmed that “Haokip is a leader of UKLF and he has been supplying contraband drugs across districts and the state”.
Police received an input that he was going to meet an individual suspected to be a drug buyer. They launched the operation to nab him at the spot.
The police effort went in vain after he was alerted by some of his well wishers who were supporting Haokip. “Haokip escaped along with contraband drugs and weapons,” said an officer.
After the raid, a crowd gathered, obstructing police movement and attacking their vehicles. The situation was eventually diffused, and the forces managed to withdraw without injury, the officer added.
Police has registered an FIR in connection with the incident for further investigation.
UKLF, one among the signatories of the tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact, has expressed strong condemnation that Manipur police led by superintendent of police, Chandel district, Dharmendra Kumar and his team raided at one of the resident of UKLF officer at M Gamnom village, Sajik area, Chandel district in the evening.
In the statement issued from the outfit signed by one T James identified as self-style ministry of information and publicity on Thursday said “conducting a raid against the officers and cadres of the organisation who signed the Tripartite Suspension of Operation agreement is indeed a total violation of SoO ground rules.”
“Signing of SoO agreement, UKLF strictly abide by the ground rules and worked dedicatedly towards achieving a political solution for the Kuki-Zo people.”
