10 killed had gunshot wounds on back: Autopsy reports
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 02 2024: The 10 Kuki-Zo militants killed in an encounter with CRPF in Jiribam district on November 11 suffered multiple fatal bullet injuries, most of which were inflicted from behind, according to post-mortem reports.

These findings, as reported by PTI, revealed no signs of torture on their bodies, apart from the severe bullet wounds and their impact.

The deceased have been identified as Ramneilien (29), Fimlien Kung Ngurte (31), Elvis Lalropei Zote (21), Lalthanei (22), Joseph Lalditum (19), Francis Lalzarlien (25), Roulneisang (30), Lalsiemlien Hmar (30), Henry Lalsanglien (25), and 16-year old.

According to Manipur Police, the youths were suspected militants who engaged in a fierce gunfight with security forces on November 11 .

The confrontation reportedly occurred after the militants, dressed in camouflage uniforms and armed with advanced weaponry including RPG, launched attack on the Borobekra police station and an adjacent CRPF camp at Jakuradhor in Jiribam district while their companions were simultaneously attacking Meetei residents and relief camps in the vicinity.

Autopsies were conducted at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) in Assam.

Reports noted that most of the deceased were dressed in camouflage or khaki clothing when their bodies were brought in.

While six bodies arrived at SMCH on November 12, the remaining four were brought on November 14, with the latter showing signs of early decomposition.

The autopsy findings suggested that those examined on November 12 had died 24 to 36 hours prior, while the bodies received on November 14 had been deceased for 72 to 96 hours.

The exception was Lalsiemlien Hmar, whose time of death was estimated at 48 to 72 hours before the autopsy.

Each body bore evidence of multiple bullet entry and exit wounds, with some victims suffering more than a dozen such injuries.

The bullets struck the militants across various parts of their bodies, from head to foot, with the trajectory suggesting that most were shot from behind.

Further, the post-mortem reports detailed that one eye each was missing from the bodies of four individuals: Ngurte, Lalzarlien, Hmar, and Lalsanglien.

The cause of death has been listed as pending until chemical analysis reports of their viscera are received from the directorate of forensic sciences in Guwahati.

On the day, over three dozens of well-armed Kuki militants entered Jakuradhor Karong and targeted Meetei residents and relief camps.

In the ensuing rampage, the militants took six civilians including three children hostages after killing two elderly men, one of them burnt alive.

Meanwhile, an earlier report published by The Indian Express said that the deaths of 10 armed Kuki youths during an assault on a CRPF camp in Jiribam district was a result of a critical mis-judgment by the attackers.

The report citing security sources said that the group failed to spot a strategically stationed bulletproof multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) equipped with a Light Machine Gun (LMG) outside the CRPF camp, which proved pivotal in their swift defeat.

The incident began in the afternoon when the Borobekra police station, located near the CRPF camp at Jakuradhor, came under heavy gunfire.

Earlier that day, the attackers had already targeted homes, shops, and relief camps in the area.

Around 2:30 pm, a group of 40-50 armed men launched coordinated strikes on the police station and the CRPF camp.

The Indian Express report also quoted an unnamed security officer as saying that the attackers' strategy was to engage CRPF personnel at the camp, thereby diverting their attention while other groups unleashed violence on nearby relief camps and villages.

However, their plan faltered when they failed to account for the presence of the MPV stationed just outside the camp.

A senior officer explained, "The vehicle had personnel armed with an LMG, and as soon as the camp came under fire, they retaliated.

Most of the casualties occurred in the first burst of gunfire from the LMG" .

The gun battle lasted approximately 30 minutes, with both sides taking cover and exchanging fire.

One CRPF personnel sustained a gunshot wound during the skirmish.

Authorities later recovered a significant cache of weapons from the attackers, including AK-47 rifles, self-loading rifles (SLRs), and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher (RPG) .

This has led security officials to refute claims that the deceased were "village volunteers" defending their communities.

"Nine of the ten who died were from Churachandpur, which is over 200 kilometres away.

What villages were they supposedly protecting in Jiribam?" a senior CRPF officer questioned.

The official emphasised the armed nature of the group, dismissing allegations of indiscriminate violence by security forces.

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