Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, August 09:
Two suspected activists of the underground United National Liberation Front, UNLF were shot dead by security forces in two separate incidents in the wee hours today, bringing to nine the total number of underground activists killed by security forces since the beginning of this month.
Commandos of the Imphal west district police killed an unidentified youth, believed to be a member of the UNLF in a shootout in the early hours this morning at Uripok Sorbon Thingel while a bailed-out member of the same outfit was shot dead by troops of the 17th Assam Rifles at Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai.
According to police sources, police commandos, acting on specific information conducted a search operation at the residence of one T Nabachandra Singh at around 1:30 am this morning.
The police were fired at from the third floor of the house, and in the brief exchange of fire that followed, an unidentified youth was killed.
One pistol with three live rounds and three empty cases was recovered from the deceased, police said.
The body of the slain militant has been taken to RIMS morgue for identification.
Sources said the deceased may be one Henery, alias Kadamba, 25, of Thangmeiband Polem Leikai, belonging to the UNLF.
In another incident, 17th Assam Rifles personnel shot dead another UNLF member, identified as Laishram Thoiba alias Goroba alias John, of Singjamei Maibam Leikai at around 4:30 am this morning at Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai.
According to Assam Rifles sources, the incident took place during a cordon and search operation conducted by the security forces.
The sources said the troops were fired upon from the thick undergrowth while combing the area, and in the firefight that ensued, one insurgent was killed while others managed to make good their escape.
A .38 Chinese-made pistol, three live rounds, one fired case, and an envelope addressed to Mj.
Koireng, GHQ, UNLF containing copies of an UNLF publication, and expenditure statement of the publicity department of the UNLF was seized, the sources said.
The sources maintained that the deceased, who held the rank of sergeant major was the officer-in-charge, publicity and communication wing of the UNLF.
On the other hand, contradicting the official version, family sources said Goroba was picked up by the AR from Singjamei Bheigyabati Leikai yesterday evening.