Manipuri cinematographer arrested for aiding separatists

Imphal, July 2 (IANS) Noted Manipuri cinematographer L. Surjakanta was arrested here Thursday on charges of aiding a top separatist outfit leader, police said.

'Cinematographer L. Surjakanta was arrested from his house at Nagamapal area on the outskirts of Imphal for aiding R.K. Raghunath, top leader of the militant outfit Kanglei Yawol Kann Lup (KYKL),' a police spokesman said.

'Surjakanta, 52, who is also the vice-president of the Manipur Film Forum (MFF), had issued an identity card to Raghunath, thereby helping him to impersonate as a member of the MFF,' the spokesman told reporters.

Surjakanta's arrest came four days after popular Manipuri actress Urikhinbam Devita was arrested by the Bishenpur district police on charges of terror links.

She was arrested on her arrival here from New Delhi, where she was caught along with Raghunath in a hotel. She was let off as nothing incriminating was found against her.

Raghunath was arrested by Delhi Police June 16.

Police are now investigating whether the Manipuri militant outfit has set up a base in New Delhi or elsewhere and their possible links with important personalities.