Engineer arrested for threatening media houses, distributors

, Sept 28: A 30-year-old engineer working with a private company has been arrested by police for allegedly threatening journalists, media houses and newspaper distributors in Manipur, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has said.

Gaikhangam, who also holds the home portfolio, said Thokchom Priyokumar, who works at Infra-Tel company, was arrested while trying to install a mobile phone tower at Kakching area in Thoubal district on Friday afternoon. Gaikhangam said Priyokumar had allegedly threatened media houses and newspaper distributors with 'dire consequences' if a press release issued by a militant outfit was not published, adding this had resulted in the closure of media houses for about a week in the first week of this month.

He said police have been tracking the mobile phone number which was used by Priyokumar and ultimately located that the engineer was working at the Infra-Tel private company and engaged in installing mobile phone towers at different places in the state.

The minister said police was interrogating him to find out whether has any 'link' with militant outfit.

With his arrest, those persons who had threatened journalists, media houses and newspaper distributors would be arrested soon. Gaikhangam said computer and mobile phone number which Priyokumar used while threatening media houses have also been seized by the police.

Prikumar holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Manipur Institute of Technology here, officials said.

PTI