Imphal, August 07: Two persons, described as hardcore members of the underground RPF/PLA, were shot dead by personnel of the Assam Rifles in a shootout this afternoon in the Nambol area and some arms and ammunition recovered from them.

According to official sources, the shootout took place during operations launched by troops of the 8th Assam Rifles in the Laithouching and Awangjiri areas today after learning of the presence of insurgents in the area.

The sources said AR personnel who were conducting cordon and search operations in the Laithouching area were fired upon by unidentified insurgents hiding in a hut at around 2 pm today.

The two insurgents were killed in the encounter that ensued, the sources stated.

A 9 mm pistol with one magazine, three live rounds, and two fired cases, one Colt .38 revolver with one live round and two fired cases, a Kenwood radio set, headphones, incriminating documents, rubber stamps of the PLA, battery cells and jungle boots were recovered.

The identities of the slain UGs have not been officially established, but they are believed to be one Bimal alias Naba, 32, of Nambol Laimaram and Khelemba, alias Jiban, 25 of Cachar.

Bimal is said to hold the rank of sergeant major, and secretary of the RPF's division IV, while Khelemba is said to be the division V publicity secretary.

Meanwhile, contradicting the official version, local sources maintained that the two slain youths had been captured alive at around 10:00 am this morning from Nambol Thangtek.

The local sources added that the local meira paibis tried to get the AR personnel to release the arrested youths, but the AR personnel assaulted the womenfolk, seriously injuring two, identified as Th Tilottama, 45, and Loidang Devi, 62.The two arrested youths were later found shot dead at Nambol Phoijingching at around 3:00 pm, the sources further said.

A meeting was held at Nambol in connection with the incident.

It adopted resolutions condemning the security personnel for killing the UGs in cold blood and for assaulting the meira paibis.

On the other hand, official sources said that in the same operation, troops also apprehended two insurgents from nearby houses in Awangjiri.

The arrested activists are identified as Wayambam Sashikanta Singh, 19, of Awangjiri Mamang Leikai, belonging to the KYKL(T) and Th Jiban Singh, 21, of Jiribam Kadamtala, a member of the RPF.

In another incident, three RPF/ PLA activists, and one cadre of the KYKL(O) were apprehended by the 7th Assam Rifles during a night-long operation at Yairipok Khoiram and Mayei Keithel in Thoubal district.

The operation lasted from 11:30 pm last night and continued till 7:00 am this morning.

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