Fugitive Sunil Meitei tracked down, killed in shoot out
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 11 2011: KCP-MTF commander Sunil Meitei who made a daring escape from the custody of Porompat police station has been killed in an encounter with Imphal West commandos early morning today.

As announced earlier, a sum of Rs 1 lakh will be paid to be an informer and another Rs 1 lakh to Imphal West police commandos.

This is in line with the cash award announced by the State Police Department when Sunil escaped in the adjoining nights of October 3 and 4 .

A number of police personnel including the OC of Porompat PS were suspended after he escaped.

Meanwhile, DGP Y Joykumar has claimed that Manipur Police are no longer the police force of the yore but have transformed themselves into a courageous modern force.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Police Hqs this morning, DGP Y Joykumar informed that Sunil Meitei was killed in a shoot-out with Imphal West commandos in a house at Yumnam Huidrom early this morning.

Since the day Sunil Meitei escaped from the custody of Porompat Police, district police of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal have been searching for the run away rebel.

The underground bunker where Sunil hid and DGP addressing the media

After gathering all the intelligence reports, it was learnt that Sunil Meitei was hiding at Loktak lake whilst moving around the area.

Based on the report that Sunil might be meeting his wife, police commandos were deployed in strategic points and mounted a close vigil.

In the meantime, another intelligence input was received informing that Sunil's wife had gone to her husband's place in a hard-top Gypsy.

A police team followed the Gypsy closely behind.

At Samurou, Sunil's wife got into another hard-top Gypsy and it took her to a house at Thiyam Leishang-khong.

Immediately, commando teams led by Imphal West Additional SP (Ops) Dr AK Jhaljit, DSP (Cdo) Dr S Ibomcha and Commando Inspector Kishorechand swung into action and surrounded the area, and started searching the houses one by one.

In the process, one Longjam Shyam Singh (56) came out and disclosed the place where Sunil was hiding.

As one police Constable removed a plank of wood covered by carpet under a bed, shots were fired from underneath the wooden floor.

Police immediately retaliated and Sunil was killed in the shoot-out.

Later, it was discovered that Sunil Meitei was hiding in an underground bunker which was two feet and a half deep.

One 9 mm pistol and four live rounds were recovered from him.

On further verification, it was established that Longjam Shyam was secretary (Home) of the KCP-MTF Sunil faction.

Earlier he was employed in Police Department before he took voluntary retirement.

When Chirom Tiken alias Sunil Meitei alias Premkumar alias Leninkumar escaped from the custody of Porompat Police, the Union Home Ministry asked the State Police Department if Sunil Meitei was set free by police under a secret understanding, conveyed the DGP.

Saying that there was nothing to rejoice in killing Sunil in the encounter, Joykumar said that it was unfortunate Sunil Meitei was killed.

Joykumar explained that the reward announced by the State Government over Sunil Meitei was an indirect message to surrender.

As announced earlier, the DGP has rewarded Imphal West commandos with Rs one lakh for successfully hunting down the fugitive rebel and another Rs one lakh to the person who gave the lead to Sunil's location.

Sunil Meitei arrested by Delhi Police from Bangalore was brought to Imphal and then to Porompat police station in connection with a case registered at Lamlai PS.

The arrest of Sunil Meitei was not influenced by any Minister or MLA.

Similarly, one Robindro was also arrested as Delhi Police received warrant of arrest from Court.

In this case too, no Minister or MLA was involved, the DGP stated.

Stating that Manipur Police are no longer the police force of yesteryear, the DGP claimed that Manipur Police transformed themselves into a courageous force.

He also reminded about the confrontation between Manipur Police and NSCN-IM last year.

To a query, the DGP clarified that there is no pleasure in killing people.

However, Sunil Meitei's wife managed to make her escape good taking advantage of darkness.

The death of Sunil Meitei does not mean that cases related with him would be closed.

The Additional DGP has been conducting enquiry against the suspended police personnel and the report is awaited, the DGP stated.

To a query if one can assumed that Manipur Police have succeeded in controlling the law and order situation in view of the declining rate of encounters, the DGP said that this should be judged by the public.

The corpse of Sunil Meitei has been deposited at RIMS mortuary.