Imphal, May 05: In a reported encounter, one UG suspect was shot dead by a combined force of Imphal East district police commandos and troops of 32 Assam Rifles.

The reported encounter took place at Phayeng Makha Leikai in Imphal West district at about 3.30 pm today.

A PIB (DW) statement informed that the UG suspect was eliminated in a joint operation launched by troops of 57 Mountain Division and State police personnel.

On receipt of information about presence of armed cadres in Phayeng, a swift operation was launched by troops of 16 AR and 32 AR alongwith State police personnel.

As the security forces were approaching the village, they were fired upon by the cadres in a bid to escape.

Security forces retaliated immediately and shot dead one terrorist, said PIB.

One M-20 pistol, five live rounds and a wireless set were recovered from the possession of the slain cadre, said a police source.

According to the source, the encounter ensued when the combined team, acting on a specific tip off about the presence of some UG cadres at Phayeng area, moved in there.

Police have picked up the corpse and deposited it at RIMS mortuary.

However, a press release issued by the Phayeng Apunba Nupee Lup strongly contended that the suspected UG cadre was already dead when the combined force of Imphal East commandos and troops of 32 Assam Rifles brought him to Phayeng Makha Leikai.

The combined team enacted a fake encounter by opening a few rounds of fire in the air after dropping the dead body at an isolated road side, it asserted.

While strongly condemning the alleged fake encounter, the Lup on behalf of all the people of Phayeng area, appealed to all security personnel not to repeat such unprovoked firing in the area.