Top Manipuri rebel leader arrested in Delhi

Ningthoujam Romen Singh (27), also the Finance Secretary of Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP-MC), was apprehended from Sarai Kale Khan by Special Cell yesterday, Special Commissioner of Police S N Srivastava told reporters here.

He was based in Agra since May-June and allegedly coordinating extortion and other crimes in Manipur with the help of his associates. Prior to coming to Agra, he was in Goa and Nepal.

"His arrest led to the rescue of two officials of Moirang's Takmu Water Sports Construction project by Manipur Police. His men had abducted them and Singh had demanded Rs 2 crore for their release," Srivastava said.

Singh and his brother-in-law Rajesh had joined KCP-MC as overground workers in 2007 and a year later, he was arrested in Meghalaya. Getting bail after two months, he fled to Nepal first and came to Goa in 2011.

"He was coordinating extortion and other crimes from these places before he came to Agra from where also he continued his activities. He came to Delhi for attending to some personal work," Srivastava said.

Singh is allegedly involved in 18 cases, the latest being the throwing of three hand grenades at a diagnostic centre on October 26 in Imphal after the institution refused to yield to the demand for ransom.

Five mobile phones, 16 SIM cards, two pen drives and 15 demand letters on the letter head of the outfit with his name were recovered allegedly from him along with other articles.

"He was also in touch with banned outfits like United Revolutionary Front. He was orchestrating abductions, extortion, attacks, threats to government officials and public through his cadre and was accumulating huge money. Singh had also sent extortion letters through e-mails," Srivastava said.