Imphal, December 24 2009: Nine underground cadres were shot dead by troops of Assam Rifles in three separate alleged encounters which occurred in different places in the state during the last 24 hours.

With the nine UGs killed, the total tally of the underground activists killed by the security forces in the state this year alone has gone up to 317 .

Troops of 8 AR posted at Sajik Tampak in the interior Chandel district under Chakpikarong police station shot dead six underground activists believed to be hailing from the banned PREPAK in two separate incidents while three were killed by the troops of 28 AR at Waithou Chiru village under Lilong police station of Thoubal district.

In the first case, troops of 8 AR exchanged fire with the underground cadres around midnight killing three of the rebels and recovered an AK-47 rifle, 69 live rounds of AK rifles and two hand grenades, according to police source.

In the second incident, the same troops again clashed with the underground cadres at a place not far away from the first encounter site, killing three more underground cadres.

This incident was said to have occurred at about 2.30 am today, according to Assam Rifles as well as police sources.

One M-16 rifles, 72 live rounds of M-16 rifles, one .38 pistols with a magazine loaded with 12 rounds and a tape phone were claimed to have been recovered from the possessions of the slain rebels in the second encounter.

PRO IGAR(S) in a statement claimed that they were killed when troops of Assam Rifles who launched operation in general area of Laibol Dung of Chandel district returned the firing initiated by the undergrounds.

On seeing movement of some cadres of underground, troops challenged them but fired towards them.

They retaliated and in the ensuing firefight killed them, the statement added.

Dead bodies of the slain rebels were brought to Imphal by the troops of Assam Rifles.

The Assam Rifles as well as the Manipur police here suspected that the slain rebels hailed from the banned People Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK).

In the third incident, three underground cadres believed to be from a faction of Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) have been killed in an alleged encounter with the troops of 28 Assam Rifles at the general area in Waithou Chiru under Lilong police station of Thoubal district at around 9 o'clock last night.

Three 9 mm pistols with magazines containing one live round each and a demand letter of the KCP signed by one Nongthang of the group addressed to a private school wrapped with four AK live rounds were recovered from the slain cadres, according to the police source.

PRO, IGAR(S) informed that the dead bodies along with the recovered items handover to the Lilong police station today at about 11.45 pm today.

Security forces and police commandos also apprehended three activists of KCP in separate counter insurgency operations.

Troops of 21 Assam Rifles apprehended two activists of KCP from general area of Sugnu and Chairel Khunou today at about 11 am.

They were identified as Ranvir, 39, son of Yogeshwar of Chairel Khunou and Laishram Mngomo, 40, son of Harmant of Chairel Makha Leikai.

Imphal west police commandos also nabbed a woman activist of KCP from Thanmeiband area today at about 11.30 am.

She was identified as Maibam ongbi Mema (37) wife M Yaima of Tripura Dalai at present residing at Takyel Khongbal Mayai Leikai.