3 including Army Maj killed, KSO concerned
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 14 2016 :
At least three persons including a Major of 21 Para Commando died in an encounter between suspected cadres of Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) and a combined team of Indian Army at a place located between Longlen and Longpi villages under Nungba police station in Tamenglong district last night.
According to a reliable source, a team of Indian Army along with 21 Para Commandos launched a search operation at Nungba and surrounding areas from April 12 .
Yesterday at around 7 pm, when the Indian Army was continuing the operation, they came under heavy attack from suspected ZUF cadres between Longlen and Longpi villages, the source said.
As the troops retaliated, an encounter ensued between the two sides for around 30 minutes.
Major Amit Deswal from Haryana of 21 Para Commando died at the spot, the source said.
Two more persons died in the gunbattle, the source said and added that one of the deceased is suspected to be a civilian while the other is a ZUF cadre.
Major Amit Deswal's body was airlifted from the encounter site to the headquarters of 57 Mountain Division, Leimakhong.
The body was brought to RIMS morgue for post mortem examination at around 3.20 pm today.
Additional SP (NH-37), Investigating Officer of Nungba police station and SDPO of Lamphel police station were present at RIMS morgue when the body was brought there.
After post mortem examination, the body was taken to 12 Bihar Regiment located at Tulihal where a guard of honour and floral tributes were paid by the troops led by GOC of 57 Mountain Division.
Major Amit Deswal's body would be taken to his native place by a special Indian Air Force flight, the source said.
On the other hand, a team of Nungba police station rushed to the encounter site to conduct inquest and bring the bodies of two other persons to JNIMS morgue.
Sources said that the search operation still continues at Nungba area to nab the suspected underground militants.
Meanwhile, Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) has expressed serious concern over the gunfight that took place between ZUF and security forces near Lenglong village in Nungba sub-division of Tamenglong district on April 11 at around 6.30 pm.
In a statement, KSO expressed fear that KSO Tuilang block general secretary Lalchoilou Neihsiel had become a casualty in the gunfight.
Prior to this incident, KSO said about six cadres of ZUF came to Lenglong village and asked the villagers to guide them to their destination.
As the ZUF cadres threatened the villagers with dire consequences, Lalchoilou s/o Nona Neihsiel and Thangzou Gangte s/o Kaikholen much against their will were compelled to accompany the militants, the student body said.
After the group walked around 5-6 km away from the village, an encounter took place between security forces and ZUF cadres.
Thangzou Gangte managed to escape from the encounter site and reached his village safely.
When the gunfight finally ceased, KSO said, the villagers tried to go to the place of the incident to look for Lalchoilou.
However, they were stopped by security forces from proceeding further towards the encounter site.
The student body said that fate of Lalchoilou is now becoming more and more uncertain with every passing day.
KSO appealed to the armed groups involved in the gunfight to hand over the civilian without any harm.
At the same time, KSO strongly disapproved the action of the ZUF cadres who forcibly took away the two villagers to accompany them.
KSO also strongly condemned the lawlessness and rampant violation of human rights prevailing in the area.
The organisation urged the Government to bring Lalchoilou back to his village safely.
The organisation said that it would not condone any harm inflicted on Lalchoilou Neihsiel, who is the general secretary of KSO Tuilang block.
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