Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 16:
In continuing violence, two persons including a former president of the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur were shot dead today at about 1 pm at the PWD quarters located at Sanakeithel under Lamphel police station.
The former ATSUM president shot dead today has been identified as Vungkholian Paite (47) while the other victim has been named as Ginhang Tombing (50).Both of them hailed from Churachandpur.
The Zomi Revolutionary Army has claimed responsibility for the twin strike and said that the two were awarded capital punishment for trying to form a factional outfit of the Zomi.
In a statement faxed to The Sangai Express, the ZRA claimed that in 2001, the two conspired to form a factional outfit among the Zomi.
They were however apprehended and were pardoned, despite the gravity of their crime, said the statement.
Again in the latter part of September this year, the two, with the assistance of some deserted cadres, conspired against the ZRO/ ZRA and formed a factional outfit.
They were given the opportunity to disband the outfit and to surrender to the ZRA/ZRO.
However they refused to abide by the directives of the outfit and hence they were awarded capital punishment, said the statement further.
Issuing a stern warning, ZRA said that it will leave no stone unturned to flush out those Who conspire against it and will take necessary steps to nullify any conspiracy against the outfit.
All have been asked to desist from anti-national practices and activities by the outfit warning that those who fail to heed the warning will face the consequences.
According to information received here, the two were shot dead at quarter number 32, Type II located near Lamphel Sanakeithel by the armed persons.
The quarter is allotted to a Forest guard identified as Tongzanlian Paite of Churachandpur.
As Tongzanlian was away at his office, he was not present when the gunmen struck killing the persons, said sources.
The family were watching TV along with the two victims at the time of the incident.
Sources said that while the two victims were watching TV along with the family members of Tongzanlian Paite, two/three unidentified persons came in and after a brief talk with them in Paite language took them out of the quarter.
One of the victims was shot dead near the back door of the quarter while the other was killed at the back yard.
A brief scuffle broke out before the second victim was shot to death, said sources.
Both the victims bore bullet injuries on the head.
Police have retrieved the bodies and deposited them at RIMS morgue.