Songpi: Based on specific input regarding ongoing extortion activities in the district, a team of Churachandpur Police Station launched an operation and apprehended an individual from Khomoi village under Churachandpur district. The operation was carried out after the police received reliable information that a person was collecting money from the general public by impersonating members of armed organisations and threatening civilians.
On verification, the apprehended person identified himself as Letginthang Haokip (44) years, son of (Late) Mangthang Haokip of S.T. Chullouphai Village, Churachandpur District. During preliminary enquiry, police said the individual admitted that he was involved in extorting money from the general public in the name of different armed organisations operating in the region. Officials said he had been using the names of such groups to intimidate shopkeepers, transport operators and local residents to extract money.
From his possession, police recovered one mobile handset, which is suspected to have been used for making extortion calls and messages, and cash amounting to Rs. 10,000, believed to be proceeds of extortion. The recovered items have been seized as per procedure and taken into custody for further examination. Police officials stated that the mobile phone will be sent for forensic analysis to ascertain call records, contacts and any digital evidence related to extortion activities.
A regular case has been registered at Churachandpur Police Station in connection with the incident and further investigation has been taken up to unearth the full extent of his activities. Police said they are verifying whether the accused acted alone or was part of a larger network involved in similar extortion cases reported from different parts of the district in recent months. Efforts are also being made to identify victims and to check if there are other pending complaints linked to the accused.
Police officials have reiterated that extortion in the name of armed organisations has become a growing concern in Churachandpur and adjoining areas, where miscreants often exploit the security situation to threaten civilians for monetary gains. The district police have appealed to the public not to fall prey to such illegal demands and to immediately report any extortion calls or threats to the nearest police station, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential and strict action will be taken as per law. Further investigation of the case is underway.
