Militant outfits in Manipur interested in exploiting people to amass wealth, says Kanglei chief

IMPHAL - Gopeshwar alias Athouba, the self-styled chief of militant group Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL)- Military Defence Force-2, who was produced before the media at Imphal after his arrest said that most of the rebel outfits are not committed to their professed ideology, but solely interested in exploiting the people to amass wealth.

Further, Gopeshwar, who was arrested from Shillong made a startling revelation that a good number of the rebels are in league with some persons in power.

“There is no question of possibility of getting independence within 10 years from now. And also there is no question of unification of the party too. I can give a dateline of 10 years here is no question at all of winning the movement. When it started the party principle and the rules were very good,” said Gopeshwar

“But as of now, nobody follows the rule and principle. When they get promoted, than they count on the relationships with MLAs, Police, army, and the freedom movement has diverted towards the strength of money,” he added.

Acting on a tip off from the sources, the Manipur Police Commandos from Thoubal reached Shillong and conducted a search operation along with the personnel of 16th Battalion of Maratha Light Infantry.

Gopeshwar was nabbed from a rented accommodation. Interestingly, no arms and ammunitions were recovered from Gopeshwar at the time of his arrest, a top brass of the police noted.Based on the preliminary interrogations, we came to know about his involvement in many cases of ambushes on BSF (Border Security Forces) in Lokchao in 2002 and snatching of arms.

Thereafter (he) ambushed on the commandos at Bishnupur in 2004 on Lokwaypath,” Clay Khongsai, Senior Superintendent of Police, Manipur Police Commandos, Imphal.Gopeshwar is involved in killing of several people including the very sensitive case of killing Manoj Shetty. He is and was directly or indirectly involved in most of these cases. I am sure more will come out,” Khongsai added.

In the follow up action based on Gopeshwar’s disclosure, the commandos captured his brother named Khagemba and a woman sympathiser of KYKL identified as Joyrose Machango.

Two AK-47 rifles along with four magazines and 200 live rounds were recovered from Khagemba’s residence. (ANI)