Imphal, July 29: The armed group KRA (U) has asserted that its army chief Maj Apao alias Tomba alias Tenden alias Naobi s/o late N Pishak of Pukhao Terapur shot dead by police commandos near Hiyangthang oil pump on July 27 was killed after taking into their custody.

A press release issued by KRA (U) publicity secretary Lenin CH while conceding that Maj Apao forcibly hijacked the car (Alto) driven by Keisham Bisho s/o K Tomba of Thoubal Thiyam Leikai for some urgent work of the party, clarified that Bisho who was shot dead along with Maj Apao was a civilian and not related to KRA(U) in any manner.

Saying that Maj Apao had one AK 56 rifle with two magazines, one 9 mm pistol with two magazines, Rs 5 lakhs in cash and a satellite phone when he was arrested, the outfit asserted that the inability of police commandos to differentiate between UG cadres and civilians has been causing severe restive condition to the people.

The outfit further conveyed that its cadres observed three minutes in honour of late Maj Apao.

It also shared the pain and sorrow being endured by the bereaved family.