SFs raid Loktak Lake, UG hideout busted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 31 2008: For the second time the combined forces of Army and the Bishnupur district police commandos launched operation in some parts of Loktak lake and succeeded in raiding the hideouts of UGs.

During the operation conducted with induction of unmanned surveillance planes, exchange of firing had taken place between the UGs and the security forces.

But there is no report of any casualty on either side.

According to police report, the operation was conducted from early morning today after having cordoned off Tharopat, Ngamupat and Yennapat of Loktak lake since last night.

Security force personnel scan the encounter site after the encounter at Loktak Lake, December 31

During the course of the operation, exchange of firing took place between the UGs and the security forces at around 4 am and continued till 6 am.

In connection with the operation, a statement issued by PIB Defence Wing said that in a surgically executed pre-dawn , troops of 57 Mountain Division and Bishnupur Police Commandos destroyed a large and well constructed hideout of the proscribed KYKL in the inaccessible Loktak lake.

The raid which was the second of its kind in the Loktak lake resulted in recovery of automatic weapons, assorted ammunition, explosives, landmines, IEDs, Chinese grenade and propaganda materials like phamphlets and CDs.

The recoveries included two AK-56 Rifles, 12 AK magazines, 174 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, 177 rounds of AK-56 ammunition, 50 rounds of point 22 ball ammunition, 20 UBGL grenades, 15 Anti-Personal Mines, 1 Chinese grenade, 8 sets of combat uniforms, one television set, one generator, six gas cylinders, IED materials and explosives, ruck sacks and pouches besides other war like stores and three country boats, the statement of the PIB Defence Wing listed.

According to the statement, the hideout was well concealed and constructed in an inaccessible marshy area of Tharopat in the lake.

There were six huts for stores and living besides one large hut possibly for training.

The height of all the huts were only 4.5 feet, thereby concealing their location from even hundred yards due to tall Phumdis.

Only one narrow water channel led to the hideouts which was guarded round the clock.

Informing that the vital inputs of this extremely well sited and hidden hideout had been willingly provided by local villagers who are fed up with the extortion, demands and misbehaviour of the UGs, the PRO observed that the locals have expressed a strong desire for peace and tranquillity to prevail in Manipur, free from fear and kidnappings of children.

The common people earnestly want that benefits of development and economic upliftment a planned by the elected Government of Manipur.

However, this can only be done once the militants give up their gun for peace, the PRO asserted.

Attributing the success of this extremely difficult and complex operation to the high levels of training and close co-ordination between the security forces and the Bishnupur Police Commandos, the PRO informed that a number of UGs were injured in the operation.

Major General Shakti Gurung and General Officer Commanding 57 Mountain Division were also personally involved in the co-ordinating this operation, the PRO added.

Meanwhile, according to information received by the press, today's operation had been code-named as 'Raid on confirmed hideouts of KYKL and UNLF'.

Mediapersons from Imphal who have gone to get the news were not allowed to proceed further and stopped by police at Keinou and Khwairakpan along Imphal-Churachandpur Road.

By the time the media team arrived at Ngaikhong Mamang Leikai from where the operation had begun in the afternoon, the operation had already been concluded.

Army as well as the Police Commandos also did not allow the mediapersons to take photographs.

Permission were also not granted to meet any of the police officers including the SP of the district.