Imphal, December 27 2008: A MAN said to have been picked up by the security forces from his home last night around 9.30 pm was found killed in an alleged encounter between the security forces and some underground activists last mid-night.

The slain man was identified as Maibam Ratan (36), son of Thoiba of Hiyanglam Awang Leikai under Kakching police station.

The father of the slain man is the elder brother of former MLA M Kunjo.

According to police source, Ratan was killed in an encounter which occurred last night around 12.10 am near a community health centre at Kakching Tezpur when a combined team of Thoubal police commandos and 21 Assam Rifles came under attack by a group of undergrounds.

The undergrounds taking position fired upon the convoy of the combined force rushing there on getting specific information of carrying anti-social activities there, the source said adding that the suspect was during a brief exchange of fire.

In the brief exchange of fire one of the suspects killed while other managed well to their escaped taking advantage of the darkness of the time.

A .36 hand grenade (foreign make), three empty cases and one empty case of AK rifles from the spot, the police source added.

Meanwhile, family source said that Ratan was picked by security men from his home last night at around 9.30 pm.

He was survived by his wife and two children of 10 year and 5 five year.

According to the wife of the slain man, Indira, police commandos called out him last night to have a talk even though she strongly protested against taking away him (her husband) .

While the residents wake up on hearing taking away Ratan and go to lodge a complaint to the Kakching people, some vehicles of police commandos were seen heading towards the Kakching CHC.

No sooner had they seen, some rounds of gun firing were also heard, the locals said.

A meeting was also held in connection with the killing of Ratan today morning at around 7.30 am and resolved to press the state government to find the killers within three day time and provision of ex-gratia amounting to Rs.5 lakhs to the deceased family among others.

They also decided to approach the chief minister and local MLA providing a government job to the deceased wife.

As a part of the protest, the indefinite closure of state highway at Wabagai area has also started from 11 am today by the JAC formed in connection with the killing incident.

A group of people who turned up Imphal to submit memorandum to the chief minister was also blocked by the police at Sanjenthong by the police and allowed only some representatives to proceed and submit the memorandum to the chief minister.