KRA man killed in shoot out
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 15 2012:
One cadre of the armed outfit KRA has been killed in a reported encounter with troops of 43 Assam Rifles at Haipi village, located about 7 Kms South of Kangpokpi police station in Senapati district at about 1.15 am today.
Significantly, KRA is under the SoO pact with both the State Government and the Centre.
A PIB Defence Wing statement said that troops of 43 Assam Rifles launched a search operation on receiving specific inputs about the presence of four armed KRA cadres in Haipi village of Kangpokpi.
On seeing the troops the cadres opened fire, claimed the statement and added that one cadre was killed in retaliatory firing.
One AK-47 rifle with 26 live rounds and a few fired cases were recovered from the killed cadre, added the statement.
The deceased cadre has been identified as SL Paolen Sitlou alias Jackson of Hanhao of
Molhai village.
A police source quoting Assam Rifles report said that the encounter ensued when troops of 43 AR, acting on a specific tip off about presence of heavily armed militant cadres in combat uniforms, moved into Haipi village.
On seeing the approaching AR troops, the KRA cadres who were holed up in a house started firing and fled in retreat.
The AR troops retaliated killing one of the KRA men.
The slain KRA cadre has been identified as SL Paolen s/o late Henkhohao of Hengjang village near Leimakhong.
He was hit by a bullet near the left armpit and bore a deep injury mark made by a sharp weapon on the forehead.
One AK rifle, 25 live round and three spent cartridges were recovered from the encounter site, added the source.
On the other hand, another source informed that the KRA cadres came to Haipi village to bully Sadar Hills ADC Members who were camping there against incumbent Chairman Haokholal Hangshing.
The KRA cadres did round up the dissident Members and thrash them.
It was after learning this assault that the AR troops rushed in to the village which resulted in the encounter.
While a case has been registered at Kangpokpi police station in connection with the incident, the corpse of the deceased has been handed over to his family after post mortem at RIMS today.