Imphal: The Special Commando team of Manipur Police on Monday arrested two individuals who are said to be the main suspects behind the killing of late Ch. Anandkumar Singh, the SDPO of Moreh last year.

The arrested individuals are identified 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 in Indo-Myanmar border tow Moreh.

According to Manipur Police, on Monday at around 4:30 pm, Manipur Police Special CDO Teams were doing security patrolling near Moreh College. During the patrolling, the security personnel observed two individuals moving suspiciously on the road. As the Commandos began to move forward towards them, the two individuals fired on vehicles of the security personnel and ran into a cluster of houses.

The security forces immediately retaliated and cordoned off the suspected houses near Moreh College and carried out a search operation. During the operation, the two suspicious individuals were chased and overpowered them using minimum force and were detained for verification.

It was said that on spot verification, they disclosed themselves as Philip Khaikholal  Khongsai  and Hemkholal Mate. From them one pistol with two live rounds, one Chinese Hand Grenade, ten live rounds of AK ammunition and ten detonators with fuse were seized.

Police said that the arrested persons are among the main suspects behind the assassination of late Ch. Anandkumar Singh, the SDPO of Moreh.  A case has been registered in this regard for investigation.

Following the arrest of two main suspects in the killing of Moreh SDPO, the Tengnoupal District Administration on Tuesday has imposed a total curfew in the entire district to prevent any unwanted incidents.

Curfew was imposed after supporters of the arrested persons stormed Moreh Police Station, Army and Assam Rifles camp demanding their release creating tense situation in the border town. Manipur Police along with Central Forces are keeping strict vigil in the border town to prevent further unwanted incidents.

Meanwhile, protests erupt in valley areas in the state demanding capital punishment for the main suspects in the killing of Moreh SDPO Anandkumar. People took out protest rallies and sit-in protests were staged demanding the government not to release the main suspects at any cost.

Mother of the late SDPO, Chingtham Bimola who took part in a sit-in protest said that she is fully supporting the public stir related to the killing of his son. She further said that her son was killed while safeguarding Manipur’s integrity.  She also said that she will take part in the stir until all the accused are given befitting punishment according to the law for the crime they had committed.