The JMIC, Moreh on Tuesday remanded two main suspects behind the assassination of SDPO, Moreh Ch Anand Singh to nine days police custody till January 24.

A team of Manipur Police Special CDO arrested the duo among the main suspects on Monday. A case has been registered for investigation under section 16 UA(P) Act, 307/181/34 IPC, 25(1-C) Arms Act & 3/4 Expl. Subts. Act.

As per sources, their production before the court was delayed as they reportedly refused to sign the relevant documents.

On Monday around 4.30 pm, during round patrolling of Manipur Police Special CDO teams near Moreh College, the security personnel noticed two suspected individuals who opened fire on vehicles of security personnel and ran into a cluster of houses, stated a release issued earlier by the Manipur police control room.

On being fired upon, the security forces immediately retaliated and cordoned off the suspected houses near Moreh College, it stated.

During the operation, the two suspicious individuals were chased and overpowered using minimum force and were detained for verification. On spot verification, they disclosed themselves as Philip Khaikholal Khongsai son of (L) Marcus Khongsai of New Moreh Ward no 8 and Hemkholal Mate, son of (L) Onkholun Mate of K Moulsang Village, it stated.

The two individuals were arrested and one pistol along with two live rounds, one Chinese hand grenade, 10 live rounds of AK ammunition and 10 detonators with fuse were seized from them, it mentioned.

The two main accused of SDPO Moreh Ch Anand's killing, arrested by a special commando team from near Moreh College on Monday at around 4.30 pm were produced at JMIC Moreh through video conferencing on Tuesday.

The two accused are Philip Kaikholal Khongsai son of (L) Marcus Khongsai of New Moreh ward no. 8 and Hemkholal Mate son of (L) Onkholun Mate of K. Moulsang Village.

Our Kakching correspondent added that Meirapaibis, clubs, organisations and people of Sugnu also demanded capital punishment of both accused persons during a protest on Tuesday.

People of Sugnu made a strong demand to the government to award befitting punishment to the two accused at the protest held at Sugnu Keithel. Taking part in the protest Sugnu Apunba Meira Paibi Lup Secretary, Aheibam Chanthoisana alleged the Kuki community as criminal supporters as the Kuki women have been demanding the release of the two accused without any condition.

She warned of intense agitation by the people of Manipur if they have been released without the knowledge of the public. She also urged the chief minister to give orders and use his power wisely to conclude the ongoing violence.