The court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West on Monday remanded two women to police custody for six days in connection with the lobbing of a hand grenade at the office of Poknapham, a local daily at Keishampat, Imphal on February 13 evening.
Following the bomb attack, a case was registered at Imphal Police Station after observing that the crime was suspected to have been committed by a member of a banned valley-based extremist organisation under the command of its leader to cause loss of human lives and damage of valuable properties.
According to a police report, it is learned that the chief reporter of Poknapham daily newspaper received a WhatsApp message on February 24 from an unknown person claiming to be one Yaiphaba of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP)/MK Luwang. The person also made claims about hurling the hand grenade at the office of Poknapham, while warning the daily to stop any publication for the next six months.
The two women identified as Heirangkhongbam ongbi Ibecha Devi, 48, wife of H Romesh of Lairenjam Makha Leikai and Yumnam ongbi Indubala Devi, 47, wife of Y Thoithoi of Nambol Thongkha were arrested on Sunday.
It is reported that during police investigation, it was learned that both the accused persons had frequent phone calls with the UG groups responsible for the attack and had also concealed some of the information.
As the accused persons were being produced before the court, the investigating officer submitted that, “The motive of the case is not exactly established so far. The identity of the main accused involved in the crime of hurling the bomb and the details of the unknown person involved in threatening the chief reporter of Poknapham is yet to be established.”
Following the submission, the investigating officer prayed to remand the accused persons to police custody for six days as it was highly required to make arrest of the associates and main culprits involved in the case and for the smooth conduction of the case.
Earlier on February 27, police had arrested four individuals in connection with the case, they have been currently serving their police custody period.
They are identified as Md Abdul Hasan, 34, Md Itonchou of Saitong Awang Leikai presently residing at Kwakta Bazar; Sarajuddin, 29, son of late Sahabuddin of Kwakta (B); Jamaruddin, 51, son of Shamsuzaman of Kwakta and Moijing Maulana Tajuddin, 34, son of Maulana Md Sahabuddin of Kwakta.
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