400 lives cut short in 2009
Source: The Sangai Express / Athokpam Jiten

Imphal, December 31 2009: The year 2009 would go down the history as another year marked by violent killings, mainly as a result of the existing conflict situation and partly due to criminal activities.

Around 400 people including more than 300 insurgents were killed in 'encounters' this year.

This included killings by insurgents and murders by unidentified armed persons (unclaimed killings) .

This is a brief annual report of the violent activities and killings of the year based on official record of the Police Department and news reports published in this paper over the year.

According to the official report of the police, paramilitary forces and army eliminated 96 insurgents till November 30 this year whereas Manipur Police gunned down 183 UG cadres.

Put together, altogether 279 UG cadres were killed by security forces this year.

This figure reached 302 counting the number of UG cadres killed in the month of December.

A total of 378 numbers of assorted weapons, 6936 numbers of ammunition, 130 hand grenades, 105 lathode bombs, three IEDs, 123 detonators, 13.710 kgs of explosives and seven wireless sets were seized by security forces.

These figure are exclusive of the seizures made in December.

The police record said that 1368 UG cadres were arrested till November 30 this year.

On the other hand, as per the record maintained by The Sangai Express, more than 40 people were killed by insurgents or unidentified persons during the year.

21 people including a minor girl were killed in the crossfire between UG groups.

During the year, 27 non-local people including the proprietor of Janta Radio were killed by armed persons.

Three children were killed in bomb explosion in Churachandpur while a woman was strangled to death after being raped at Moreh.

Three other women were also killed at different places in suspected cases of rape.

During the same period, 22 security personnel were killed either in shoot-outs among themselves or ambush by insurgents.

Last year, 500 people including 286 UG cadres were killed in different cases of violence.

The number of UG cadres killed in 2007 is 171 .

A cartoon from Hijam Satya

Of the various cases of killings recorded this year, the murder of SDO Dr Kishan, Y Token and A Rajen by NSCN-IM, murder of Manipur University Proctor Prof Islamuddin by KYKL, murder of contractor Y Krishnadas in connection with ransom demand and the July 23 Khwairamband killings evoked widespread protests.

Of the various incidents witnessed during the month of January, the brutal murder of Md Wahidur Rehman at Urup Hills, the mysterious death of one Rifleman on sentry duty at Imphal East District Police Hqs, the injury caused to an elderly person in a shoot-out between police commandos at Wangkhei and the killing of six AR personnel including an officer by a fellow jawan can be mentioned.

On January 23, Lamkhotin Mate, a disabled woman, was found strangled to death at Moreh after being raped.

Two persons involved in the crime were shot dead by insurgents.

Two BSF personnel were killed in an MPA ambush on January 24.A tense situation prevailed in Ukhrul during the month when troops of 17 AR surrounded and put under siege a camp of NSCN-IM located at Siroy.

One Army Lieutenant was killed in a PREPAK attack on March 18.Two powerful explosive devices (IED) planted by KCP-MC (Lanheiba Meitei) were recovered from Indira Park and Babupara on April 2.Another IED was also recovered from Kanglapat near Khoyathong on the next day.

Saikul police station was vandalised by an irate mob following the killing of a youth, suspected to be UG cadre on May 3 .

12 people were killed and 49 injured in a bus accident along Tamenglong-Khongsang road on May 7 .

Seven non-local labourers were shot dead by unidentified persons at Khordak on May 11.MU Proctor Prof Islamuddin was shot dead within MU campus on May 26 .

Contractor Y Krishnadas was found killed at Lilong Chingjao on June 12 even after paying ransom amount of Rs 25 lakhs.

Some individuals including Nando, the prime accused in Lungnila Elizabeth murder case were arrested/re-arrested by police in connection with the murder.

Ten KYKL cadres were killed by their own colleagues at a location along Indo-Myanmar border on June 20.This gave birth to KYKL-MDF.

Three cadres of KYKL-MDF were shot dead by Bishnupur police commandos on September 7.The three cadres were said to be involved in killing a bus driver a few days back.

Four IRB personnel were killed in a PLA ambush at Ningthemcha Khul on September 12.A combined team of Bishnupur commandos and Army gunned down four KYKL-MDF cadres at Leimaram and surrounding areas on October 4 .

Dr Binodkumar, abducted by unidentified persons were found killed on October 22.Five AR personnel including one officer were killed in an MPA ambush at Somtal on November 23 .

Three children of a family were killed in a fire mishap at Maram on November 25.One IRB Havildar and escort commander of an MLA was beaten to death by his fellow jawans on December 9 .

Three children was killed in a bomb explosion at Senvon village, about 200 kms West of Lamka on December 15 .