Imphal, February 06 2009: In what appears to be an endless issue that has been doing rounds in Manipur, claims and counter claims between the security forces and those family members of the victims killed by the security forces in reported encounters continues.

Family members and the joint action committee (JAC) against the brutal killing of Md Zakir Salman, son of Md Sahirrudin of Thoubal Moijing Wangma Taba and Md.Safiur Rahman, son of (L) Muhamjaman of Thoubal Khekman Amakcham submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister today.

The two deceased were reportedly killed by a combined team of Imphal West police commandos and 39 Assam Rifles during an encounter that took place on late Thursday evening at Tendonyang under Sekmai police station in Imphal west district.

The reports also stated that a 9 mm pistol along with three live ammunitions and a hand grenade were recovered from their possession.

However, sources from the family and the JAC revealed that the deceased were innocent civilians, working as sub-contractors and added the whereabouts of three other companions of the deceased were yet to be known.

They have been identified as one Md Amidur Rahman (25), a police constable currently posted at Churachandpur district, one Md Safikur Rahman (25), also a police constable posted at Senapati district and Md Akbar Khan (35), an advocate.

In the memorandum submitted to the chief minister, the JAC urged the concerned authority to take appropriate action against the culprits involved in the killing failing which they will not accept the bodies of the two deceased.

Meanwhile, one Md Wariz of Thoubal Moijing, a rickshaw puller, who claimed to be a witness, revealed that the deceased along with three others were picked by the security forces on frisking duty at Nitaipat Chuthek, Imphal around 5 pm.

He further revealed that the two deceased and the other three were taken away by in two separate vehicles.