Imphal, November 18 2008: Thoubal district police commandos claimed to have gunned down a UG suspect at Keirak of Thoubal district at around 1 pm today.

However, a statement of the JAC formed in connection with the killing identified the deceased as one Md Wahid (35) s/o (L) Abdullah of Sora Maning Leikai.

The body has also proclaimed imposition of road blockade along the NH-39 stretch from 8 am today till demands for ordering a judicial probe and punishment of the guilty personnel are conceded/honoured.

According to a statement issued by SP (Thoubal) Clay Khongsai, commando teams who were on patrolling duty in and around kakching and Keirak areas observed suspicious movement of three persons towards Nature Cure Centre along Keirak Road.

On being asked to stop for checking, the three took to their heels with one taking out a small weapon and firing at the commandos, who took position and retaliated resulting in exchange of fire for about five minutes, the SP detailed and added that one got killed at the spot while two others managed to escape towards the thick forest.

One 9 mm pistol with two live rounds were found during search near the body.

On the otherhand, the JAC contended that Abdul Wahid was an innocent civilian who left home in the morning to work in cultivation activities.

A married man, Wahid was picked up by police commandos from Sora Khunou area and killed in a staged encounter, it alleged.

Meanwhile, staff and patients of Keirak nature Cure Hospital have condemned the shoot-out and appealed to all concerned to refrain for firing at near health care centres in the future.