Youth killed in encounter, six arrested with arms
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 14 2024:
An 18-year-old youth was killed, and six individuals were arrested in an encounter between police and suspected cadres of the proscribed armed group PREPAK in Salungpham, Thoubal district, on Saturday.
According to a statement of the police control room, acting on information about armed cadres engaging in extortion in the area, Manipur Police teams rushed to the spot.
Upon arrival, the cadres opened fire on the approaching police teams, prompting retaliation.
During the operation, six individuals were apprehended while another, identified as 18-year-old Laishram Prem Singh from Thoubal Khunnou, sustained bullet injuries.
He was rushed to Raj Medicity Hospital in Imphal, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Prem, who had been missing since August 13, 2024, was reportedly staying in Kakching Khunnou and had joined PREPAK, according to police sources.
The arrested individuals were identified as Thokchom Momocha alias Sunny (41), Sarangthem Anand Singh alias Malem (36), Ningthoujam Kama alias Pishak Singh (27), Ningthoujam Manoranjan Singh alias Khagemba (21), Thongam Phalguni alias Urikpa alias Khoithoi (27), and Moirangthem Johnson alias Thouna (21) .
Police recovered one 5.56 mm INSAS rifles, an AMOGH rifle, a 7.62 mm SLR rifle, a .303 rifle, and corresponding magazines.
Additionally, 46 live rounds of INSAS ammunition, 27 rounds of AMOGH ammunition, 25 rounds of SLR ammunition, and 37 rounds of .303 ammunition were seized.
Two four-wheeler vehicles and six mobile phones were also confiscated.
Initial investigations revealed that the weapons were looted from police armouries.
Forensic teams and a magistrate were involved in the ' investigation process.
In a related development, during a search operation in the Khunkho Kuki village jungle in Kangpokpi district, security forces recovered a .22 rifle, a .303 rifle, 49 live rounds of .22 ammunition, and a magazine.