Imphal, August 31: Well-armed militants, suspected to be members of the Kuki National Front (Military Council), raided Tumuyon Khullen village in Senapati district yesterday evening and shot dead a 21-year old youth, identified as Sarou Karaiba, reports reaching here said.

The reports said that Saroj Karaiba, along with one SD Shekureng, was abducted from near the village church at around 6.30 pm yesterday evening by about 30 well-armed men wearing camouflage uniforms.

SD Shekhureng however managed to escape, and made his way back to the village, even as the villagers chased the armed men.

A little later, the report said, the villagers heard three or four gunshots in the direction of Changoubung village, and Saroj Karaiba�s bullet riddled body was found later.

It may be mentioned that unidentified persons though to be the NSCN (IM) had shot dead a Hmar youth at Changoubung village on August 29 nights.

The NSCN (IM) however clarified later that it was not involved.

Villager told that the incident occurred soon after a BSF team which had been on ROP duty in the area left the place.

They said that yesterday itself, they had applied to the Assam Rifles and to the SP, Senapati to provide round the clock security in the area, but to no avail.

Father of the deceased Ashok Nepali, a retired MR Jawan, told that what the Assam Rifles came this morning; they stopped him from going near his son�s body.

He also maintained that his son was an innocent civilian and had committed no crime.

Villagers believe Saroj Kareiba was shot dead in a revenge killing.

A team of the united Committee, Manipur, visited the village on learning of the killing and held discussions with the villagers.

A team of the Naga Students Federation, NSF, also visited the village and appealed for maintenance of communal harmony.

High ranking state police official said security in the area has been beefed up to prevent any further untoward incident.

In the meantime, the Naga People�s Organisation, Senapati, has condemned the killing of Saroj Kareiba, and appealed to all armed groups to avoid targeting innocent civilians and to stop vitiating the peaceful com-existence of different communities.

The NPO also appealed to the people of T Khullen and Changoubung villages to under stand the calculated moves of some evil elements for maintenance another communal clash.

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