Imphal, October 25 2009: A former PLA member, who is said to have been picked up by four unidentified gunmen from his house, was killed in an 'encounter' with troops of 28 Assam Rifles in the intervening night of October 24 and 25 on the road that leads to Keirao MAASI complex, under Irilbung police station.

The deceased has been identified as Khundrakpam Naotombi (26) s/o Tomba of Ningthemcha Khun, under Lamlai police station.

According to a press release issued by PRO Hqs IGAR (S), in connection with the incident, discovering the presence of UG cadres in the general area of Chiru, troops of 28 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under Hqs IGAR (S) launched operation in the area and eliminated one unidentified UG cadre at around 12.15 am today.

One pistol with magazine and three live rounds, three fired cartridge cases of .32 inch and six fired catridge cases of AK-47 have been recovered from the deceased.

The press released further said that the dead body and recovered items were handed over to Irilbung police station today.

Contradicting the AR press release, family members said that Naotombi was picked up by four unknown gunmen from his house at around 7.30 last night.

The miscreants fired seven-eight rounds in the air when the family members resisted them.

Later, some meira paibis chased the unknown youths, but they could not save Naotombi as the miscreants frightened them away by firing two-three rounds in the air again.

Although nobody picked up the phone when Naotombi's wife Sonia dialled the cell number of the deceased the whole night, an unknown person suddenly picked up the phone at around 7.45 am today and asked to check the corpse at RIMS morgue.

According to family members, Naotombi was lodged in jail few years back after he was arrested as a member of PLA.

He was released in September last year and led a normal life, they added.

Naotombi left behind his wife and and 18 month old daughter.

Meanwhile, the identities of the two persons slain in an encounter with a team of Imphal East district police commandos at Naharup yesterday have been established.

They are identified as Moirangthem Tenjing (35) s/o Moirangningthou of Kongba Kshetri Leikai and Khamnam Shanta alias Shantanu (45) s/o Tomba of Irilbung Kalika.

Tenjing is said to be a contractor and is survived by his wife and four daughters.

Claiming that Shanta was an innocent civilian and a mason, locals of Irilbung Kalika staged a sit-in-protest against the killing after forming a JAC today.

The JAC will submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister in connection with the killing tomorrow.

According to family members, they would not claim the body of Shanta until the Government establishes the exact reason behind the killing.

Family members said that the deceased went out to take money for Chakkouba.

Meanwhile, the identity of the deceased slain in an encounter with a team of Imphal East district police commandos at Langdum Lamkhai yesterday has also been established.

He has been identified as Asho Tangkhul (28) s/o (L) Thingalen of Kharam village.