In a major crackdown on identity fraud, Manipur Police arrested two individuals for allegedly manufacturing fake documents and using them to obtain SIM cards, which were then sold illegally and used for unlawful activities.

Police sources said acting on reliable intelligence, a team led by SDPO Thoubal (i/c) Th. Dinesh, along with the Officer-in-Charge of Lilong Police Station and commando teams, conducted an operation at around 4:30 PM on Sunday. They apprehended Dolaipabam Isha Ahamed (32), son of (Late) Md Siraj Ahmed @ Nahatomba of Lilong Haoreibi Makha Leikai, who operated as a Vodafone agent/retailer and owned DP Enterprises at Lilong Haoreibi Lairabakhong, Thoubal district.

During on-the-spot questioning, Isha Ahamed confessed to working with his associate, Altab Hussian (33), son of (Late) Md Zaheruddin of Lilong Haoreibi Makha Leikai. The duo allegedly forged documents such as driving licenses to procure multiple SIM cards, which were then sold illegally in the black market.

Following up on the confession, police raided Altab Hussian’s shop, “Altab Travel Agency,” in Lilong Haoreibi Makha Leikai, seizing a large cache of equipment used for forging documents. The items recovered include two laptops, two Epson printers and one Canon printer, lamination machine, biometric machine, a duplicate driving license, 26 voter ID cards, 11 Aadhaar cards, 2 PAN cards, 3 Ayushman cards, 1 PMJAY card and Two blank PVC cards used for document forgery.

Upon interrogation, Altab Hussian admitted that he and Isha Ahamed created forged documents using their laptops. Following proper legal formalities, both suspects were arrested.

A suo motu case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for further investigation, sources said. Authorities have assured that other individuals involved in the racket will be identified and arrested soon.