Two UG suspects slain, three apprehended
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 02: Two suspected underground activists have been killed by Imphal West District Police Commandos after a shoot out that took place near Narankonjin Pukhri Achouba at around 12.30 pm today.

Significantly, after the shooting incident, people of surrounding area blocked Mayai Lambi decrying such shoot outs in inhabited area.

According to police report, one .32 pistol loaded with one live round of ammunition, some empty cases and one .36 high explosive hand grenade have been recovered from the possession of the two slain UG suspects whose identities have not yet been established.

Womenfolk block Mayai Lambi to protest shoot-out between UG suspects and commandos near a dharna site on August 2

The police report said that on receipt of specific information about movement of UGs in the area, the commando team rushed in.

The commandos came across two youths who were moving about in a suspicious manner and asked them to stop.

However, instead of stopping, one of the youths fired at the commandos and tried to flee while his accomplice tried to hurl at a bomb.

Acting swiftly, the commandos retaliated and killed both of them on the spot.

The bullet riddled bodies have been picked by Wangoi Police and have deposited the same at the mortuary of RIMS Hospital.

One of the slain UG suspects is clad in brown T-shirt, red belt and blue black trousers and the other in light green shirt, black trousers and a pair of black shoes.

Picking up the bodies and depositing them at the mortuary of RIMS, however, did not turned out to be the end of the duty of Wangoi Police.

In condemnation of the shoot out in populated area, infuriated locals resorted to blocking the Mayai Lambi in front of Hiyangthang Market as well as at Hiyangthang Tarahei Panlak (Narankonjin Maning) for more than an hour leading to a direct confrontation with the police.

Incidentally, the shoot out broke out even as a large number of womenfolk were staging a Wakat Meepham at Hiyangthang Market shed in protest against the recent spate of killing people after bringing them in Hiyangthang area and kidnapping of young children for recruitment as child soldiers by militants.

Subsequent to blocking of the road, traffic along the State highway remained disrupted for some time.

However, along with the arrival of the police, the road was cleared and traffic resumed at around 2 pm.

Local people claimed that today's shoot out was stage-managed.

Out of four Maruti Gypsys of the commandos, only one vehicle was seen driving toward the site of the alleged shoot out and after a little while gun-shots were heard.

Only after that the remaining Gypsys went inside, eye witnesses informed.

Meanwhile, one cadre each of the PLA, UNLF and PULF organisations have been apprehended from different places by State and para-military forces in the last 48 hours.

A UNLF activist identified as laishram Rakesh Singh alias Thoungai (25) s/o L Ibopishak Singh of Ngaikhong Khullen Maning Leikai was arrested by Imphal East district police commandos at around 5.30 am today.

A statement issued by SP (Imphal East) Th Radheshyam said Rakesh joined UNLF in April 2002 through one S/S Lt NC Luwang, underwent basic military training at Sajik Tampak (Army No 1517/24th batch) and was working under the command of S/S Lt Col Puyani in Battalion 292 of fighting group and was involved in many ambuses against security forces.

Meanwhile, troops of the Assam Rifles apprehended one PLA and a PULF cadre from Chandel and Thoubal district areas respectively.

The PLA cadre identified as SS Pvt Sanhal alias Rocky alias Thomas (18) s/o Joye Singh of Kanglatongbi was nabbed from Leibai village in Tengnoupal sub-division where troops of 29 AR launched search operation yesterday, informed PRO IGAR (S) in a statement release today addin that the arrestee has been handed over to Tengnoupal police station.

The PULF cadre identified as harun (19) s/o Abdullah of Yairipok Lamlai was netted at around 6.30 pm yesterday from Yairipok Bazar by troops of 34 AR who were deployed for mobile checking operation.

The individual has also been handed over to Yairipok polcie station today.