Imphal, March 16 2009: The proscribed UNLF has condoled the death of its MPA cadres - Sgt Sagolsem Sanamahi alias Jackey s/o S Kalamohon of Churachandpur Khumujamba Meitei Leikai and Sgt Athokpam Taakpa alias Naobicha s/o A Ibocha of Ithai Khunou.

However, the outfit, in a press release issued by its senior publicity officer Ksh Yoiheiba, contended that the two were shot dead at Mayang Imphal Yangbi by Imphal West police commandos after pulling up from a house located near Sekmaijin bridge in the morning of March 10 along with another cadre.

Contradicting the police claim that the two were killed in an encounter, the outfit asserted that the third cadre apprehended together with the slain cadre was handed over to police after allegedly subjecting him to severe torture.

Further rejecting the police claim about recovery of a country made carbine from the two MPA cadres, the outfit clarified that it has no such guns in its weaponry.

In the backdrop of the evolving trend of killing insurgents in cold blood by police commandos after pulling them up, it is pertinent to question how far the general policy of not hitting at police commandos be followed, the UNLF observed.

It was because of the two MPA cadres sticking to this policy in letter that the commandos were able to kill them.

Had they been permitted to strike at the commandos, some of the commandos would have certainly suffered casualty, the outfit asserted.

Even as the liberation movement calls for exactly the same action against the commandos, the insurgent groups have been restraining themselves noting that it would be only New Delhi that stands to gain from such internecine killings.

Yet, this policy of the insurgent groups should not be construed as their weakness, the outfit cautioned.

The alleged policy of the Government of India of giving cash rewards for killing people has virtually turned the police commandos as 'killing machines' bereft of any human rationale.

Under the prevailing scenario of police commandos killing not only insurgents but also innocent civilians on alleged fabricated charges after taking them into their custody, the UNLF is of the opinion that all insurgent groups should launch a strong movement, even if they don't wish, against the crime allegedly being perpetrated by commandos.

Condoling the death of its two cadres, the UNLF/MPA also shared the pain and grief being endured by the bereaved families.

Further, the outfit rejected the AR claim that one suspected UNLF cadre was slain in an encounter with troops of 29 AR at Tengnoupal in Chandel district and that one lethod gun was recovered from his possession as published in local dailies on March 10, saying that the outfit has no connection whatsoever with the slain individual.

With regard to the media report that one UG suspect was slain during an encounter with troops of 31 AR near Lokchao on March 6, the UNLF alleged that the incident was staged by KNA and security forces by killing a Myanmar national after he was abducted from inside Myanmarese territory.