IMPHAL, March 26: The proscribed outfit, Revolutionary Peoples’ Front (RPF) has claimed in a press statement that Koijam Gourahari (55) son of (L) Ibobi of Leirongthel Lamakhai who was reportedly arrested by a team of the Thoubal District Police Commandos and 15 Assam Rifles on March 25 around 10:30 am is innocent.
The statement said Koijam Gourahari was reportedly arrested during a search operation at Yairipok Mamang Leikai as a suspect involved in the March 23 blast along with one 9mm pistol and two live rounds, a Chinese hand grenade and 500kg of plastic explosives.
It further alleged that the Assam Rifles had arrested the father of a PLA cadre from around the Yairipok area and accused him of his involvement in the bomb blast.
It continued that the said person has no involvement with the dealings of the outfit nor does he have access to the arms of the outfit. It said the man has infact not seen or had contact with his son who has been with the PLA for more than 15 years.
The statement alleged that the security forces will continue to produce more innocent persons as involved in such bomb attacks. It further said that the RPF in its various forms of attack against the security forces tries hard not to hurt the general public; however there might still be instances where there might be injuries and deaths which is the way with wars.