Manipur's Thoubal district police seized fake Indian currency notes worth around Rs 4 crore and arrested two persons in connection with the incident.
The fake notes in the denomination of demonitised Rs 1,000 were seized during an operation launched by the joint police team of Thoubal district police on Thursday morning led by Superintendent of Police, Jogeschandra Haobijam.
The operation was assisted by additional SP (ops) Sachidananda Soibam, Inspector N Tikendra Meetei OC commando Thoubal among others.
According to Jogeschandra, in the wee hour, the police received reliable information about manufacturing of fake Indian Currency notes at Wangkhem area which falls under the jurisdiction of Imphal East district.
Acting on the information, the joint team swung into action after giving formal information to the concerned district, he said.
The joint team reportedly came across a locked hut situated at Keirao Khuman Lok suspected to be hiding some bundles of fake Indian currency notes. Subsequently, the Owner of the hut, identified as Chungkham Dewan Singh, 50, son of Ch Jugindro of Keirao Wangkhem was identified, who on questioning disclosed about the fake notes hidden inside the hut.
Based on the disclosure of Dewan that the binding and packing was done along with one Chingakham Surchandra, 40, son of Ch Deben of Keirao Wangkhem, Ngarian Chingkhong Leikai, the police team also arrested the latter.
The accused reportedly disclosed to the police that the fake notes were handed over to them by one Tony of Keirao along with his nephew Arun of Waithou Thiyam Leikai.
“As per preliminary findings we have established to know that money was meant for exchange with new bills. We have registered a case for further investigation into the case,” the SP said.
The arrested individuals along with the seized notes were handed over to the concerned police station.