Imphal, February 23, 2010: A former cadre of the KYKL's splinter group KYKL-MDF, who surrendered to the Indian army last year has been found shot and abandoned at a secluded spot in Lamphelpat area today.

The injured person, identified as Thokchom Uttam alias Farista alias Fivestar (25) s/o Th Ingo of Ningthoukhong Ward no.11 Gopinath Leirak, was rushed to RIMS Hospital by a team of Lamphel police station personnel, but succumbed to excessive bleeding at around 10.50 am at the same medical centre.

According to police report, unidentified persons attacked Uttam at around 10 am along the inter-village road near Kendriya Vidyalaya (Central School), Lamphelpat.

It is said that Uttam had been staying at the Government-run Rehabilitation Centre for surrendered cadres of armed groups.

The rehab centre and the spot where a profusely bleeding Uttam was found by the police team is close to one another.

He was present when morning roll-call was conducted at 7 am.

The rehabilitation centre is being guarded by IRB personnel and entry/exit closely monitored by the security force personnel.

According to family members who came to RIMS Hospital, Uttam was among 15 cadres of different UG outfits who laid down weapons before the then GOC of 57 Mountain Division Maj Gen Shakti Gurung during a surrender ceremony held at the 3 Assam Rifles camp, in Churachandpur district on October 26, 2009. Family members also disclosed that Uttam was a corporal of the KYKL and along with four other former KYKL colleagues surrendered before Shakti Gurung as KYKL-MDF cadres.

It was also disclosed that out of the five, three fled from the 3 AR post on the intervening night of February 1 and 2 this year, whereas Uttam and the other KYKL-MDF surrenderee namely Rocky of Bishnupur district were shifted to the Lamphelpat rehabilitation centre.

Family members met Uttam for the last time yesterday.

Post mortem on Uttam's body has been conducted at RIMS morgue today.

A fatal bullet wound could be observed on the head.

It may be recalled that KYKL-MDF was formed after about 20 cadres defected from the parent organisation on June 20, 2009 during which 10 KYKL cadres were shot dead at a hideout of the latter outfit located along the Indo-Myanmar border.

Since its split from the KYKL and till date, atleast nine KYKL-MDF cadres have been slain in different incidents while three others are under detention.