Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 18:
The four persons who were killed in an alleged encounter with BSF troops at Umathel in Thoubal district yesterday morning have turned out to he civilians.
BSF had yesterday claimed that the victims were militants.
The civilians have been identified as Kh Prakash Lamkang (20), Kumar Rasaili (28), a Nepali both residents of Japhou bazar in Chandel district, Mutum Bikom (20) of Palle] Maning Leikai and Yengkhom Lukhoi (28) of Thonglan Uyok Chingya.
Prakash Larnkang, a farmer by profession is married and his wife is pregnant.
At one time he had worked inside the 5th Grenadier complex at Chandel.
The camouflage pant he was having at the time of his death is said to have been given to him by a personnel of the 5th Grenadier while he was working there.
Family members said that Prakash along with Kumar Rasaili left home for New Chayang village to attend the funeral of one of his kins there on August 16.Kumar Rasaili is also married and has two daughters and one son.
He was the casual driver of DFO Chandel.
All the four victims are reported to be bootleggers.
Yengkhom Lukhoi is also married and has two children.
Post mortem of the four bodies were conducted at the Lilong PHC today.
The DIG BSF Manipur and Nagaland PK Mishra had yesterday told a press conference that the four were militants and were killed in an encounter with BSF personnel.
He had also claimed the recovery of two magazines of AK series rifles along with 23 live rounds and four gunny bags containing country liquor from the slain persons.
A meeting of meira paibis of Kakching Khunou area held today has strongly protested the BSF action.
The meeting while seeking the attention of the authorities on the alleged atrocities committed by BSF personnel in the area has demanded payment of Rs I lakh each to the families of the four victims.
In a statement, the All Kakching Khunou Meira Paibi Welfare Association alleged that the four civilians were gunned down by the waiting BSF men without verification and questioning.
The victims were liquor traffickers, the statement claimed.
A driver of the Kakching Khunou Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya was hit by a stray bullet during the incident and had been admitted to hospital, the association said.
The statement claimed that villagers of Wangjing Khunou, Pangantabi and Umathel had also fled their homes due to BSF atrocities earlier.