Out of four shot dead, contradictory claims cloud 3 cases
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 18: Out of four persons gunned down by unidentified persons as well as security forces in the past 24 hours contradictory claims have emerged in the case of three deaths.

Three persons suspected/claimed to be cadres of underground outfits have been shot dead while it is alleged that the youth shot dead by police commandos at Mongjam area under Heingang police station yesterday was actually arrested from near the Sagolmang AR post before being done to death.

Protestors being stopped from marching to the CM's official bunglow by police personnel

In the first incident, personnel of 34 Assam Rifles gunned down two suspected activists of the PULF (Azad) group along the Keina Road under Yairipok police station at around 4.30 am today.

The Assam Rifles authorities claimed recovery of one country-made carbine with five rounds, one 9 mm pistol with seven rounds and some incriminating documents from the deceased duo.

Yairipok police personnel have retrieved the multiple bullet-riddled bodies and deposited it at RIMS morgue for necessary procedures.

Identifying the deceased persons as S/S assistant secretary of PULF (Azad) Md Mustafa and S/S Pvt Abdul Aziz alias Tomba of the outfit's finance department, a release issued by the PRO IGAR (S) claimed recovery of one modified carbine, one Chinese 9 mm pistol with a magazine and four fired cases, one mobile phone handset (Nokia) and a Pulsar motor cycle from the duo whose bodies and seized items have been handed over to Yairipok police station today.

Regarding the incident, the PRO claimed that based on specific information about movement of armed UGs, troops of 34 AR established a mobile vehicle check post and ambushes were laid in the general area of Yairipok and Tulihal.

Later the troops saw a motorcycle with two riders approaching the site, said the PRO.

On being signalled to stop, the pillion rider opened fire at the troops and tried to escape but was killed in retaliatory firing, said the statement further.

Both the corpses have been handed over to the respective family members after post mortem at Lilong PHC later in the evening.

It is reported that a local body called Young Organisation Club, Yairipok Bamon Leikai had recently issued press statements to some State dailies regarding the two persons having gone missing since April 15 at about 7.20 am.

Suspecting foul play in the killing of Md Mustafa s/o Md Badur Zamin of Yairipok Kreku and Md Tomba alias Aziz (23) s/o Md Amiruddin of Yairipok Bamon Leikai, a JAC has been constituted with its representatives handing over a memorandum to the chief Minister in-charge Th Debendra demanding a judicial probe and appropriate punitive action against the AR personnel involved in the killing.

a group of Yairipok people led by the JAC team arrived to hand over the memorandum but were prevented from progressing beyond the Sanjenthong point by security personnel.

Later some JAC representatives were allowed to meet Th Debendra.

Among others, the JAC demands include replacement of the Yairipok AR post by an IRB unit, ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each to families of the deceased as well as grating employment to the next of kins by the Government.

Debendra reportedly assured the JAC delegation that demands would be discussed with Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh after he returns from Delhi.

In the second incident that took place late last evening, unidentified persons shot dead a bailout member of the proscribed UNLF along the Keinou Thongkha Chiru Road under Bishnupur police station.

The deceased is said to be one Irom Ratan (31) s/o I Mani of keinou Thongthak Awang Leikai.

According to family members, Ratan was released on bail nearly two years back and left behind his wife and a month old son.

He was reportedly abducted from keinou Thongthak area on April 16 at around 6 pm.

There were Bullet wounds on his head, chest and hands.

Residents near the spot from where Ratan's body was found claimed to have heard gunshots at around 11.30 pm yesterday.After the post mortem at RIMS morgue today the body has been handed over to family members.

The other controversy concerns gunning down of one Yengkhom Boinao alias Premjit (27) s/o Y Tunanbi of Thoubal Leishangthem Bashikhongbam Leirak by Imphal East district police commandos at Mongjam yesterday afternoon.

Family members of the deceased youth contended that after being released from jail about seven months back Boinao was staying at his elder brother Somorjit's Sagolmang Khewa residence to assist in agricultural activities.

Having joined the banned UNLF some seven years back Boinao was imprisoned after arrest by personnel of the 22 Maratha Light Infantry before coming out from jail recently, the family members recounted.

It is alleged that Boinao was whisked away by two persons who came in a cream coloured Bolero Jeep from a roadside hotel located close to the 23 AR post.

The unidentified abductors also took away a mobile phone handset (screen touch) of Boinao from the Sagolmang Telephone Exchange office where the gadget's battery was being charged.

With the exception of the mobile phone Boinao possessed no other item when he was taken away, the family claimed while maintaining that soon after he was taken inside the vehicle and began to move two Maruti Gypsys occupied by uniformed commando personnel followed close behind.

Boinao's body has been claimed by family members on completion of post mortem at RIMS morgue today.

meanwhile, the 58 year old Chanambam Biren alias Tomba of mayang Imphal Chabung Company who was shot on the right leg by PREPAK activists last evening has succumbed due to excessive bleeding.

His lifeless body was found this morning from Khordak ichin under Mayang Imphal police station.

Biren was shot as punishment for his alleged misdemeanour against numerous women under the guise of faith healing practice as well as for duping individuals of their wealth.

The body has been claimed by family members today from RIMS mortuary.

On the otherhand, the PRO IGAR (S) release informed of personnel of 12 Maratha Light Infantry having arrested a UNLF cadre identified as SS 158 2nd Lt PK alias Pokhang alias Gandhi (37) s/o Chandrapotho of Khongkham Awang Leikai.

Stating that the arrest was effected during the course of a search operation launched at Patsoi area, the release said Pokhang has been handed over to Patsoi PS.