Assam police’s STF nabs Manipur youth for suspected sabotage plans

Guwahati: The Special Task Force (STF) of Assam police apprehended a youth from Manipur for allegedly procuring and transporting drone batteries purportedly to carry out subversive activities.

Based on intelligence input regarding unauthorised transportation of drones and related equipment by a Manipur-based banned organisation to carry out sabotage activities, the STF acted swiftly and launched an operation, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Assam Police, Pranabjyoti Goswami, said in a statement. 

The STF team upon spotting the suspected vehicle, bearing registration number AS01-FU-3927, at the Six Mile area of Assam’s capital city Guwahati, started chasing it. 

After a hot chase, sleuths of the STF finally intercepted the vehicle at the Sonapur toll plaza on National Highway 27 (NH-27), it said. 

On being thoroughly searched, the team recovered as many as 10 TB30 Intelligent Flight Batteries suspected to be used in drones, Rs 3.40 lakh cash, four pairs of shoes and a mobile phone handset, from the vehicle, it added.

The STF team soon apprehended the accused, identified as Khaigoulen Kipgen (27), a resident of Gamngai village under the jurisdiction of Sapormeina police station in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district.

Two minors were also found travelling in the vehicle with the accused, it said.   

The confiscation of these items, particularly the drone batteries, underscores the clandestine efforts by certain banned organisations of Manipur to procure drones for illicit activities.

The STF is currently conducting necessary formalities and further investigations are underway, it further said.