Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, October 11:
Troops of the 17th Assam Rifles shot dead a senior member of the underground Revolutionary People�s Front, RPF at Singjamei last night during what official called a foiled ambush on troops by cadres of the underground outfit.
The deceased is identified as Thokchom Gunindro, alias Kala alias Saroj, 32 of Kongba Kshetri Leikai.
He held the rank of sergeant major in the outfit, and according to the Assam Rifles, was both commander of the RPF�s anti-drug STAFORCE, as well as secretary of division number 1 of the outfit.
A statement issued by the AR said a patrol party of the 17th AR, while moving between Kongba and Singjamei, was attacked at the Singjamei Bridge by underground cadres at around 1.50 am.
It said that the ensuing shootout lasted for about 20 minutes, and in a chase through the river and an intense hand to hand fight, one insurgent was killed.
Other insurgents managed to escape under the cover of darkness, it said.
On the other hand, in contrast to the official version, other sources said the deceased had been picked up by a team of Assam Rifles personnel from Singjamei Moirang Leirak at around midnight last night.
Gunindro�s body was found three bullet injuries in the abdomen and with both hands fractured at Singjamei Bazar near the bridge early this morning.
The body was taken to RIMS morgue for post mortem by the Singjamei police.
In the meantime, family members of the deceased, who claimed that he had been killed in cold blood, have decided not to claim the body of the deceased.
This decision was endorsed by the local organizations and meira paibi groups of the Kongba area at a meeting this evening.
The meeting also resolved to submit a memorandum to the Governor and to file a case with the state human right commission regarding the killing.