New Delhi: Probing the ambush on an Assam Rifles convoy last week, Manipur police have arrested a man they identified as the “prime suspect” in the case. Two jawans were killed and five others injured in the 19 September ambush in Nambol Sabal Leikai area.
Police added that the ‘prime suspect’, identified as Khundongbam Ojit Singh—a suspected member of the banned Imphal valley-based outfit People’s Liberation Army of Manipur—confessed to his role in the ambush, the police said.
Arrested in April 2007, Singh was out on bail and actively working as a PLA worker until his arrest in the early hours of Wednesday in the Ameng area under Imphal West district, the police said.
The arrest comes less than a week after a convoy of the 33 Assam Rifles came under attack from a group of armed men, suspected to be PLA cadres. The gunmen first targeted the Tata 407 vehicle in Nambol Sabal Leikai area of Bishnupur, between Imphal and Churachandpur. Two jawans died on the spot and five sustained injuries in the ambush.
The ambush, weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first official visit to Manipur since ethnic conflict erupted in the state in May 2023, sparked security concerns, more so because it took place in the area denotified days before from the regions under the stringent Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
“On receipt of specific information about the presence of armed militants in the Kameng area (District Imphal West), a team of District Police Imphal West, Bishnupur, 33-AR, and other security forces launched a special operation on 24 September at about 01:00 am. During the operation, one person, namely Khundongbam Ojit Singh (47), son of the late Kh. Mani Singh of Awang Leikinthabi Awang Leikai (District Imphal West) was apprehended,” a statement from Manipur Police said.
“At the spot examination, he admitted that he is a bailed-out member of the PLA. He further stated that he continues to work for the PLA. He also revealed that he was arrested earlier on 22 April, 2007. During further examination, it was revealed that he was directly involved in the ambush on 19 September at Sabal Leikai, Nambol, in Bishnupur area at about 05:30 pm against the 33-AR personnel,” the statement added.
After the ambush, the group of gunmen, including the ‘prime suspect’, moved towards Loktak lake in Bishnupur district, hid their arms and ammunition, and dispersed.
“On revelation, the following arms and ammunition used in the ambush were recovered,” the police further said. Recovered weapons include five rifles, such as AK, INSAS and more than 400 rounds of ammunition, according to the statement.
(Edited by Vidhi Bhutra)