IMPHAL, Aug 19: Mastermind of kidnapping and killings besides an extortion racket, the notorious KCP faction leader Thokchom Nando also holds the distinction of being the longest serving under-trial prisoner in the state.
According to prison records, Th Nando has been in judicial custody for 8 years and 8 months till date.
The alleged mastermind of Lungnila Elizabeth kidnapping followed by gruesome murder in 2003 and the controversial killing of contractor Krishnadas in 2009 was recently arrested from the premises of the Imphal Central Jail at Sajiwa in connection with the grenade attack at the Thongju Pechu Lampak residence of Ahongsangbam Mobi, the President of All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU).
Th Nando was first arrested in 2003 and booked under FIR No 272 (10) 2003 IPS u/s 365/34 IPC by Imphal police station and under FIR No 150 (12) 2003 City PS u/s 10/13 UA (P) Act and 25 (1-A) Arms Act by City Police station and remanded to judicial custody on 20 December 2003.
Following police investigations on the high profile case of Lungnila Elizabeth whose dead body was recovered on 3 November 2003, the Lamphel PS took up a case against Nando who was the alleged mastermind in the crime.
Subsequently he was detained under the National Security Act and at that he had three cases pending against him.
In 2009, his active involvement in the controversial murder of a contractor Krishnadas was revealed in police investigations and he was arrested from jail premises and questioned.
In 2010 July also, he was interrogated by police with regard to a string of extortion incidents.
The latest incident is his alleged involvement in floating a group called KYKL-MDF for extortion activities and the grenade attack at the residence of AMWJU President A Mobi.
