The Manipur government has announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for information of the culprits in connection with the Churachandpur robbery case.
A statement issued by superintendent of police, Churachandpur mentioned that any individual who can provide information leading to the arrest of culprit (s) responsible for the murder and loot which took place in front of the State Bank of India (SBI) main branch along Tiddim Road, Churachandpur town, around 10.30 am on Friday last will be rewarded a sum of Rs 1 lakh.
Information may be reported to Churachandpur district superintendent of police at +919949805651; additional superintendent of police, +918729881284; sub-divisional police officer, +919612502667 and officer-in-charge, +919612136839. As per the notification, the identity of the informant will be kept confidential.
The announcement of the reward comes as day after the Manipur ATM Service Sector has cautioned the state government that ATM service across Manipur will ceased from September 10 if culprits involved in the robbery are not booked by September 9. Some of the ATM booths along the stretch of Canchipur road have stopped operation.
On Sunday, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said at a briefing to mediapersons in Imphal that the Director General of Police (DGP) Manipur has been asked to meet the representatives of militant groups under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) operating in Churachandpur district in connection with the armed robbery that claimed the life a security guard.
Biren pointed out the possibilities of the involvement of UGs under SoO, citing the used of suppressor or silencer by the perpetrators during the robbery.
On September 4, armed men allegedly shot at a security guard of an ATM cash transporting van before looting a sum of Rs. 1.15 crore near the SBI branch in Churachandpur district headquarter. The security guard who sustained two bullet injuries succumbed in a hospital in Imphal. Interestingly, no one at the nearby areas of the crime scene witnessed or heard gunshots the fateful day. Hence, it has been speculated that suppressor or silencers could have been used by the armed assailant.
