Imphal: Security forces have arrested an alleged active cadre of Kuki National Front (Nehlun), a non-SoO Kuki militant outfit, suspected to have been involved in the infamous B Gamnom shooting incident last year in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, said an official.
Identified as Satkithang Kipgen, 37, alias Thangboi alias Ranjit, the suspected cadre was arrested by the Assam Rifles in a joint operation with Manipur Police from a mechanical workshop near Kholep village on Saturday.
The operation was launched by COB Motbung of Jwalamukhi Battalion with Gamnom Saparmeina police based on a reliable inputs and detailed planning.
Reportedly, the arrested cadre is the area commander of the banned outfit.
Two mobile phones along with some cash were also recovered from him. He has been handed over to Gamnom Saparmeina police station for further investigation.
Earlier, Chief Minister N Biren Singh had strongly condemned the incident that led to the killing of four unarmed civilians on October 12, 2021. Singh had also announced a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh to anyone who can provide inputs about the militants involved in the incident.
Days after the incident, three cadres belonging to the KNF-N were arrested with two small arms and ammunition in a joint operation out by Imphal West police commando and troops of 15 Assam Rifles.
However, family members of those arrested men alleged that drug addicts are being paraded as rebels by police.
They (family) claimed that the arrested men were lodged at a rehab centre in Imphal when the shooting occurred and claimed that they are not cadres of the proscribed outfit.