Two PULF cadres killed; six UNLF members nabbed
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 20 2009: Two activists of People's United Liberation Front (PULF) were killed in an alleged encounter while six persons said to be members of the finance section of the proscribed UNLF (United National Liberation Front) were apprehended by combined security forces in separate counter insurgency operations.

Police said, the two activists of PULF were killed in an encounter with a combined force of 34 Assam Rifles and Thoubal district police commandos at Leishangthem village under Thoubal Police Station at about 3 am today.

The two slain activists were later identified as Md Ali @ Boicha (21), son of Keram Ali and Md Anish (19) son of Md Matalif, both hailing from Yairipok Tulihal Konjil.

One AK-47 rifle with magazine loaded with nine live rounds, one 9 mm pistol with magazine loaded with six live rounds, one M-16 magazine loaded with eight live rounds, one misfired round of lathod, a hand grenade, one demand letter of PULF and one leather wallet with Rs 200 were recovered from the spot.

IW police officers displaying recovered arms and equipments

According to police, they were killed in an encounter between a group of underground and combined force of 34 Assam Rifles.

The encounter took place when the combined force rushed to Leisangthem area for a counter insurgency operation following reports that some militants were loitering there with arms to carry out anti-social elements.

PULF activists opened fire to the security forces when operation stepped up in which they returned resulting to a brief exchange of fire.

Dead bodies of the two militants were found in the follow up search operation when the firing ceased.

Some others militants escaped taking advantage of the darkness, the officer added.

Among them Md Ali was a candidate of the VDF recruitment and waiting for the final result, according to family while Anish had arrested as a PULF activist and released around one month back and staying at home.

They failed to come back after went out for Yairipok Bazar in the evening of December 15 last.

Both the dead bodies are still lying at RIMS morgue.

Meanwhile, Imphal West Police Commandos and 12 Maratha Light Infantry in a joint operation apprehended six members of the UNLF finance group including to active members.

Three AK-56 rifles, one double barrel gun, 170 ammunition of AK-56 and 10 live rounds of double barrel gun, one inverter, one utensil (tekali) and one solar plate were among the items recovered from them, according to the Imphal west district police.

The combined force nabbed four of them during the followed up action to the disclosure made by two active members identified as Naorem Kiran alias Shekhar (29) son of N Iboyaima alias Boyai of Mayang Imphal Konchak Makha Leikai at present near second MR gate western gate and Ningthoujam Helendro (29) son of N Sanayai of Heirok Part-II who were apprehended yesterday at about 4 pm from the northern gate of Johnston High School located in the heart of the Imphal city.

Halendro is the personnel of the 4th IRB (E-Coy) with rifleman no.405331 presently attached to at 2nd IRB game section.

He is also a judo player.

A Nokia handset and an identity card issued by the police department seized from their possession.

In the follow up action to their disclosure, the combined force picked up two persons from their respective homes identified as Khaidem Romen (29) son of Kh Krishna of Laphupat Tera Litan Makhong at present Thangmeiband as tenant and Asem Nilakanta alias Yaiphaba (29) son of A Amuyaima of Langdum Awang Leikai.

They were involved in the collection of money and sending money to higher rank officers of UNLF staying outside the state.

Two more persons said to be sympathizers of the outfit identified as Elangbam Ratankumar (28) son of E Kumar of Hiyanglam Mayai Leikai and Heisnam Romeo (22) son of Biragopal of Laphupat Tera Hiyangkhong were also apprehended.