'Fake encounter bid'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 07 2011:
Suspected security personnel allegedly tried to eliminate a former International Taekwondo player in a staged encounter.
Moirangthem Shantalai (28) of Haraorou Mayai Leikai of Imphal East district was called out from his house on the pretext of talking over something by a khaki clad person from his house at around 11.30 last night.
Narrating his nightmarish ordeal, Shantalai told reporters that as he came out, he found many heavily armed persons in combat dress outside his house.
Saying that the team of suspected security personnel came in two Tata mini trucks and one bullet proof Gypsy, Shantalai said that they brought him at a secluded place between Khundrakpam and Tangkham, known as Heinoumakhong.
Shantalai added that he was beaten up there and charged that he was involved in the extortion from mobile BTF towers in favour of the proscribed KYKL.
Shantalai said he however pleaded his innocence saying that he is a former International Taekwondo player and currently working as an instructor at Heritage Convent, Uripok and Taekwondo schools at Haraorou and Khundrakpam.
Shantalai added, he was then brought to Waiton Lamkhai and directed to run with an AK-47 Rifle.
As he refused to do so, Shantalai was pushed into a drain and repeatedly threatened to start running.
Later, they pulled him up from the drain and asked his 'rank', upon which Shantalai disclosed that he was a Black Belt in Taekwondo with First Dan.
Shantalai was later released at Sambei Chuthek with an apology that it was a mistake.
Before they left the place, the armed persons disclosed to Shantalai that they came from Leimakhong, alleged the Taekwando player.
Locals of Haraorou staged a sit-in-protest denouncing the incident today.