Imphal, December 27 2008: One suspected UG cadre has been shot dead in a reported encounter with a combined force of Thoubal police commandos and troops of 21 AR at Angangching under Kakching police station in the wee hours today.

According to a press release issued by Thoubal SP Clay Khongsai, the combined force, acting on a specific tip off about movement of KCP cadres in the area, laid an ambush on Tejpur road near Anganching.

At about 12.30 am today, the combined team observed suspicious movement of 2/3 youths along the Tejpur road.

As the security team challenged the youths to halt, they reportedly fired upon the combined force who retaliated immediately.

While one suspected militant was killed in the shoot-out, the others managed to escape under cover of darkness.

Later, on searching the encounter site, one foreign made hand grenade and one .36 HE hand grenade were recovered from near the deceased individual, added the release.

It has been established that the slain individual is one Maibam Ratan (40) s/o Thoiba of Hiyanglam.

On the other hand, contending that Ratan was an innocent civilian and that he was shot dead after being apprehended, local people of Hiyanglam blocked Mayai Lambi at Hiyanglam Bamon Leikai in protest.

According to family members, Ratan was picked up by some persons clad in civies with camouflage jackets at about 9.15 pm yesterday.

Against the killing of Ratan, local people of Hiyanglam staged a protest demonstration on Mayai Lambi thereby blocking the road.

With the constitution of a joint action committee, the enraged locals have geared up to demand ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs, a suitable Government job to one member of Ratan's family and proper enquiry into the killing.