Assam Rifles apprehended Zeliangrong United Front cadre with arms

Special Correspondent

SILCHAR: Acting on a tip-off from 37 Assam Rifles about the presence of an armed Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) militant at Namdailong village, SDPO Anurag Sharma launched a combined search operation in the village area on Thursday assisted by OC Jirighat police station Soumar Ray and his staff. During the search operation, a hardcore Zeliangrong United Front cadre identified as Pouthuilung Gonmei (45) of Jalukie of Paren district of Nagaland was apprehended.

From his possession, a foreign made 9mm pistol with 5 live rounds of ammunition were recovered.

From his grilling and cross-examination came out the startling revelation about yet another cohort with ransom money extorted from a person kidnapped from Tamenlong of Manipur. The statement of Pouthuilung further revealed that the person in question, identified as Rikhi Poujam, collected the ransom money at Kolkata and was heading for Silchar by flight. As soon as he alighted from the flight, the waiting police team led by Jagadish Das, Additional SP, took Rikhi Poujam in their custody.

From his possession, Rs 3 lakh was seized. Interrogation is on, pointed out Anurag Sharma. The movement of Zeliangrong militants in and around the hilly track of Lakhipur sub-division bordering Manipur and Dima Hasao district is not a new phenomenon. Often the extremists of some extremist outfits still in wilderness continue to haunt the areas for greener pastor and soft targets to replenish and refurbish their dwindling armoury. But, the ever vigilant security forces of Lakhipur being in hot chase of the militants bottle up their moves and foil any attempt at misadventure.

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