GUWAHATI: Assam police have apprehended three refugees from the Kuki community hailing from Manipur, who are allegedly responsible for a series of armed robberies across the Cachar district.
The three detainees have been identified as Dimngel Lalboi Michael, Paojalen Dimngel, and Thangboi Dimngel. They all hail from Saijong and Paohao villages, located within the jurisdiction of Manipur’s Kangpokpi district.
The detainees were found travelling in a white SUV bearing Mizoram registration number and were taken into custody along with the vehicle.
Cachar Additional Superintendent of Police, Subrata Sen, told the press, “During the last two months, they robbed cash worth Rs 3-4 lakh and other valuable items from several shops, including wine and hardware outlets and petrol pumps.” The police have also seized two firearms and ammunition from the suspects.
The accused, all residents of Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, are believed to have been displaced from their homes due to sectarian strife in their home state, Sens said. Initially, they sought refuge in a camp in Mizoram’s Kolasib district before entering Assam and allegedly engaging in illegal activities.
While an initial investigation is ongoing, the individuals have been arrested under sections 392 (robbery) 397 (attempt to cause death or grievous hurt during robbery) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Sen added.
Over the past two months, the Cachar police have apprehended numerous individuals from Manipur on separate occasions, as they were allegedly trying to smuggle narcotics through Mizoram.
