Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of Naphai Village chief Jilhem Khongsai, police souces said.
Saikul Police said all three suspects hailed from Naphai village. They were produced before the Duty Magistrate and remanded to police custody.
As a part of the investigation launched by Saikul Police Station in connection with the case, all license guns found in Naphai Village have been confiscated, police said.
The move to collect licensed guns came after police found an empty case of SBBL rifle from the crime scene, the police said, adding that the process to screen all the collected licensed guns is underway.
Considering the sensitive nature of the case, Saikul Police Station said it is closely considering all angles and motives behind the crime and intensive investigation is being conducted.
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It may be mentioned that late village chief Jilhem Khongsai along with some NGOs and MLA of Saikul assembly constiutency Kimneo Haokip Hangshing took part in a meeting with Chief Minister N Biren Singh on May 14, showing their support to the War on drugs.
In May last week, he had reportedly issued a notice to prohibit poppy cultivation in Naphai village area.
His body is kept at RIMS mortuary as family members declined from collecting it unless the culprits were arrested.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Biren Singh dismissed the allegation that the killing is linked with the banning of the poppy plantation by the village chief.
“As per intelligence report, the murder is not related with the banning of poppy plantation. It is reported to be related to some personal issue,” CM Biren said on Wednesday.
Biren termed the killing of Naphai village chief a “cowardly act” and said the government will not spare miscreants involved in it. The culprit will be arrested and befitting punishment will be given, the chief minister assured.
