Source: The Sangai Express / Sinlianmang Guite
Lamka, Aug 20:
Under contradictory claims, security personnel in camouflage attacked a Church today at about 7.25 pm which was flooded with believers at Vengnuam New Lamka, killing one and injuring four.
The elder brother of S Thangkhanlal Ngaihte, a columnist for The Sangai Express, S Thawngkhanlian Ngaihte who was attending the sacramental service at EBC, Vengnuam was killed at the doorsteps of the Church while V Lianzamang (29), H Khamkhanlal (16), Songkhanlun (16), Thangmuanlal (20) and Niangzaching (22), a woman were injured.
The PRO of PIB (DW) however informed the press that the shoot out occured when well armed ZRA cadres opened fire at a patrol party of the 3 Assam Rifles.
The civilians were injured in the ZRA firing, he claimed and added that the Assam Rifles personnel exercised maximum restraint to avoid civilian casualties.
Significantly the ZRA is one of the armed outfits in Manipur which has signed a truce pact with the Central security forces.
�Security personnel mounted on a Maruti van and two bullet proof Jeep (Rakshak) open fired at us� alleged a Church goer who refused to be identified.
This was the second instance that security personnel attacked Vengnuam EBC Church.
On June 1, 2004 Bishnupur Police Commandos and IRB personnel raided this very Church and assaulted the youth choir who were practicing.
It is still not exactly known which security units the attackers belonged to, but numerous hints suggest the involvement of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles.