Imphal, December 11 2008: The proscribed PREPAK has deeply condoled the death of three of its cadres and two overground workers, who were killed by a team of Thoubal police commandos on December 8 at about 8.45 pm at Langathel Chingjil Lambi in Thoubal district.

In a statement, the outfit said that the claim of the Thoubal police SP that the five were killed in retaliatory firing is totally baseless and without foundation.

The five had gone on an important assignment for the outfit, but the information about their movement was given to the police by some vested interest elements, said PREPAK and added that they were fired upon by the police commandos who were lying in wait.

No warning was given, it claimed.

The commandos opened a volley of gun fire at the Tata dipper, it said and added that the PREPAK men did not retaliate as per the principle of the outfit not to target State forces.

Other than opening a few rounds in the air, the PREPAK men did not fire towards the police commandos.

If they had done so then there is no question of the commandos not suffering casualties, it claimed.

The three Red Army cadres have been named as Loutongbam Naoba alias Thonglen (31) Army no.270118 of Sagolband Langjing Achouba Bokul Makhong, Thingujam Samananda alias Nanai alias Eengba (18) Army no.r 270124 of Thiyam Leishangkhong and Yengkhom Bungo alias Tomthinnganba (23) Army no.300871 of Bishnupur Ward no.11.The overground workers have been identified as Huidrom Kokngang (28) of Wabagai Tera Pishak and Ningthoujam Bogen alias Koko (23) of Heirok Part II.

Thonglen and Eengba belonged to the 27th batch while Tomthin belonged to the 30th batch, added the statement.