Imphal, September 06: The proscribed PREPAK and its armed wing - Red Army condoled the demise of its cadre Takhelchangbam Sanathoi alias Chaoren Sharma (28) s/o (L) Th Babuchouba Sharma of Mutum Phibou Makha Leikai.

A PREPAK statement issued by its Thoubal District Commander Yaifanganba alleged that Sanathoi was killed by Thoubal police commandos on September 3 evening after arresting him along the Thoubal Ningombam Mini Stadium road.

Contrary to police claim that a shoot-out ensued, the PREPAK statement asserted that no arm/s was/were provided to Sanathoi.

Informing that Pvt Chaoren (270126) completed military training in the 27th batch of the outfit, Yaifanganba also contended that the other person killed along with Chaoren has no connection with the PREPAK organisation.

Both were severely tortured before being killed, he maintained while claiming that security forces eliminating innocent civilians and later branding them as UGs is not surprising as such cover-up tactics is not a new ploy.