Northeast Desk, 16th December: The Manipur Police announced the arrest of two individuals, Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate, in connection with the killing of Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Chingtham Anand Kumar in Moreh last year. The arrests were made during a round patrolling near Moreh College, where the accused opened fire on security forces’ vehicles.
According to the police statement, upon observing the suspects firing on security personnel vehicles, immediate retaliation ensued. The security forces cordoned off the area where the accused sought refuge in a cluster of houses. The suspects, Philip Khaikholal Khongsai and Hemkholal Mate, were chased, overpowered with minimum force, and detained for verification.
The arrested individuals, during on-spot verification, identified themselves as Philip Khaikholal Khongsai, son of (Late) Marcus Khongsai of New Moreh Ward no 8, and Hemkholal Mate, son of (Late) Onkholun Mate of K. Moulsang Village. The arrests mark a significant development in the investigation into the killing of SDPO Chingtham Anand Kumar, who was shot by miscreants in Moreh on October 31, 2023, and later succumbed to his injuries.
Taking to its X hanle Manipur police said, “Today (15/01/2024) at around 4:30 pm, during round patrolling of Manipur Police Special CDO Teams near Moreh College, the security personnel observed two suspected individuals who opened fire on vehicles of security personnel and ran into a cluster of houses. On being fired upon, the security forces immediately retaliated and cordoned off the suspected houses near Moreh College. 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 (a)Name : Philip khaikholal khongsai s/o (L) Marcus Khongsai of New Moreh Ward no 8. (b)Hemkholal Mate S/o (L) Onkholun Mate of K. Moulsang Village”