Imphal, April 09 2009: Three suspected activists of the proscribed KCP (MC) have been reportedly shot dead by Thoubal Police Commandos during an encounter which broke out at Ikoppat located behind Tentha village of Thoubal district in the forenoon today.

According to a statement issued by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Thoubal District Clay Khongsai, following a special tip off on the extortion activities and intimidation of the public in the surrounding areas of Ikoppat by armed cadres of KCP (MC), the Commandos rushed into the area and launched a search operation at around 11 am today.

At around 11.20 am while the search operation was underway, four to five suspected KCP (MC) activists equipped with sophisticated weapons opened fire at the Commandos.

The Commandos also retaliated the firing.

In the ensuing exchange of firing which lasted for five minutes, the cops shot down three suspected KCP (MC) activists while the rest managed to escape.

Further search of the encounter site has also led to the recovery of one point 32 pistol loaded with four rounds of ammunition, two hand grenades and an empty cartridge of a Lethode shell.

The bodies have been picked up by the Thoubal police and deposited the same at the mortuary of RIMS Hospital, the SSP said, adding that all the three slain UG suspects appear to be around 25 years of age and their ear-lobes are not pierced.

In another statement, the SSP conveyed about the arrest of an activist of the proscribed UNLF during search operation at Kakching Irum Mapal at around 5.30 am today.

The SSP identified the arrested UNLF activist as one Irengbam Rameshore (31) s/o Basanta of Kakching Irum Mapal who works in the finance section of the outfit.