One UG suspect killed in encounter
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 14 2024: One suspected UG cadre was killed in an encounter between Thoubal Commandos and a UG group near Salungpham High School, Thoubal district under Heirok police station this morning.

The encounter was followed by a massive search operation in the area which led to the arrest of six cadres of the particular UG group along with arms, sources said.

The deceased has been identified as Laishram Prem alias Loktak (18) s/o late L Romen Singh of Thoubal Khunou.

On receiving specific information that some people were on their way to serve monetary demands to brick firms located in Salungpham area, two teams of Thoubal commandos set up mobile check posts near Salungpham High School.

At around 9.50 am, one Alto car and one A-Star car were seen coming toward Salungpham.

The commandos halted the two cars but a little later, heated arguments broke out between the commandos and the occupants of the two cars.

The argument led to exchange of fire and one of the occupants of the two cars was killed in the encounter, said the sources.

With the arrival of reinforcement, police carried out a massive search operation in the area leading to the arrest of six people.

They have been identified as Thokchom Momocha alias Sunny (41) s/o Th Ibochouba Singh of Heirok Part-II Mayai Leikai, Sarangthem Anand Singh alias Malem (36) s/o S Shyam Singh of Kakching Khunou Tampakmayum Lai Leikai, Ningthoujam Kama Singh alias Pishak (27) s/o N Ukil Singh of Samaram Mapi Leikai Maning Laibung, Ningthoujam Manoranjan Singh alias Khagemba (21) s/o N Singhajit Singh of Thinungei Kha Leikai, Thongam Phalguni alias Urikpa alias Khoithoi (27) s/o late Th Deban Singh of Lamphel Sanakeithel and Moirangthem Johnson alias Thouna (21) s/o M Kumar Singh of Lamphel Kombirei, presently staying at Khoyathong Polem Leikai Machin.

Many arms and ammunition including three INSAS rifles, one SLR, one AMOGH carbine, one 303 rifle, one magazine of AMOGH carbine with 27 live rounds, four magazines of INSAS rifles with 46 live rounds and two magazines of SLR with 25 live rounds were also recovered from their possession, said the sources.

Meanwhile, police have alleged that the persons are members of PREPAK and were carrying out extortion activities in Salungpham area.

After receiving input about them carrying out extortion with automatic weapons, police rushed to the spot but were fired at by the cadres.

The police retaliated strongly, and later Laishram Prem Singh (18) was found with a bullet injury.

He was rushed to Raj medicity Hospital but succumbed to his injury, said the Police Control Room.

The police claimed L Prem was missing since August 13, 2024 and his family had lodged a missing report.

He had allegedly joined PREPAK and was staying in Kakching Khunou, the police alleged.

The recovered weapons have been found to be those looted from police armories, claimed the police.

On the other hand, Meira Paibis staged a protest demonstration at Thoubal Melaground and blocked the National Highway tonight demanding unconditional release of the 6 persons arrested in connection with the gunfight at Salungpham.

Womenfolk from different parts of the district participated in the protest.

Speaking in this connection, an unnamed meira paibi strongly condemned the death of 18 year old Laishram Prem and demanded strict legal action against the responsible commando personnel.

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