Imphal, September 08, 2009: Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) has called 12-hour statewide general strike beginning from 6am of September 9 over the alleged fake encounter killing of 4 KLA and a truck driver on Monday at Mongkot Chepu in Ukhrul district.

Alleging that the KLA cadres were killed after their arrest by the 12 MLI yesterday in Ukhrul district, people rose in protest today and blocked the Imphal-Ukhrul road at Gwaltabi.

Protestors, mostly of womenfolk- were said to have denied access to emergency service and pressmen.

Meanwhile, a lighting strike was also reported in Churachandpur today.

Protestors have also shouted slogans against the MLI for violating the SoO pact.

The Lamlai and Litan Police have also made fail attempts to calm down the protestors.

However, pressmen have made their way to Litan through a different route.

At Litan Police Station, arms seized from the KLA cadres including one G-3 rifle, one G-4 rifle, one M-16, M-21 and a US made carbine and ammunitions were put on display before the media persons.

The body of a KLA cadre, said to be traced this morning, was also found lying in a 407 mini Tata.

Later, the other dead bodies which were in a gypsy of the 12-MLI.were shifted in the Police's Mini-Tata.

Meanwhile, the dead bodies have been identified as Sairom Mohendro (43), the driver, son of S Mobung of Kongpal Chanam Leikai; Thangkhochon Haokip, son of Lousei of Jangnomphai in Churachandpur; Lunkholal Haokip son of Jampao of Moreh Chavangphai; Lamminlal Kilong son of Mangcha of Aigejang village in Sadar Hills; and Thanglenmang son of Jamkholal of Phaimol village in Sadar Hills.

Narrating the incident which occurred at Mongkot-Chepu yesterday, locals said the KLA cadres were returning from an assignment when the incident occurred.

They had engaged the truck of Mohendro- who was heading towards Imphal after dropping food items at Ukhrul Novadya near Litan.

They were said to go till Samusong on foot after taking down at Yaingangpokpi.

They were stopped at a turning point near Mongkot-Chepu by the 12 MLI personnel.

Locals said the KLA cadres and the truck driver were killed after disarming them.

Around 12 KLA cadres were said to have boarded the truck.

Two cadres have also suffered injury at the thigh.

The other cadres were said to be released by the personnel after reprimanding them.

However, the whereabouts of a KLA cadre, identified as Johny, was not known.

Registering its protest over the killing, the KSO (General headquarters) has called a 12-hour statewide general strike beginning from 6am of September 9. The dead bodies were deposited at RIMS morgue.

The MLI personnel have also handed over a black colour Pulsar Bike to the Litan PS, which was said to be found at the spot of the incident.

NNN adds: Indefinite "chakka bandh" has been called from today on National Highway 39, Imphal to Moreh, by various Kuki organizations in protest against the killing of four cadres of Kuki Liberation Army (KLA), a militant outfit operating in Manipur, by the security forces.

In a joint statement issued by Kuki Students' Organization, Kuki Women Association & Human Rights, Kuki Chiefs Association and All Tribal Drivers Association charged the Central security force of not obeying the �Suspension of Operation' (SoO) signed by KLA, Manipur government and government of India.

The joint statement strongly condemned the killing of the KLA cadres who were under SoO by the 12 MLI who are posted at Imphal airport but have come in the operational area of 23 Assam Rifles and sought a clarification from 12 MLI as to why the KLA cadres have been killed.

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