Imphal, October 15 2010: While a suspected UG cadre was killed in a reported encounter, another youth was shot dead by unidentified persons in the last 24 hours.

Speaking on behalf of the Thoubal SSP, Additional SP Jogeshchandra Haobijam said that an encounter ensued when a combined team of Thoubal police commandos and troops of 15 Assam Rifles, acting on a specific tip off, launched search operations in the surrounding areas of Khongjom last midnight.

As the search operations approached Langathel, suspected UG cadres opened fire towards the security team from across Khongjom river at around 2.40 am this morning.

This resulted in a gun-battle lasting for about 15 minutes.

On searching the areas after the encounter, one individual was found killed, Jogeshchandra said.

One AK assault rifle, one magazine containing 10 live rounds and a Chinese hand grenade were discovered from near the corpse.

Meanwhile, the deceased has been identified as one Moirangthem Ngouba (32) s/o Khoidum of Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai.

He reportedly joined the proscribed UNLF about five years back.

According to family members, Ngouba had been staying at home due to an illness since about two months back.

He was reportedly taken away from Sanakeithel by some unidentified persons who came in a Maruti car in the night of October 13 .

On the other hand, one youth who was reportedly abducted from his own home has been found dead.

A police source said that Md Romesh alias Ithemba (27) s/o Md Tomba of Kshetri Bengoon Awang Leikai, Imphal East district was abducted from his home by three hooded unidentified persons with polythene bags at about 11.45 pm yesterday.

The bullet riddled body of Romesh was discovered from Wakha Leima Ching at the foothills of Nongmaiching this morning.

He was hit by a bullet on the back of the head.

Romesh was a labourer engaged in loading/unloading earth/sand from trucks.

However, he was associated with police commandos, disclosed family members.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

A case has been registered at Porompat police.

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