Imphal, December 02 2008: Even though the masses were starved of some vital information when media establishments suspended publication of newspapers in the wake of controversial killing of konsam Rishikanta of the Imphal Free Press there was no respite from violent incidents during the 13 day lull with security forces gunning down at least 16 suspected underground elements.

However, the total number of human casualties during the said period reached 26 inclusive of eight persons shot dead by unidentified gunmen and others losing their lives in mishaps.

An encounter reportedly took place on November 19 afternoon at Khordak-Nongmaikhong area under Bishnupur district between Bishnupur police commandos and suspected KCP activists wherein one KCP cadre got killed besides recovery of one 9 mm pistol along with four live rounds.

At late night of November 21 five suspected UG cadres were gunned down by combined security force teams in shoot-outs at two different places.

In a gun-fight that broke-out at Charoibung under Mayang Imphal police station at around 11.45 pm commandos of Imphal West district police and 12 Maratha Light Infantry troops killed two UG suspects from whom one revolver with five rounds and a handgrenade were recovered.

Bodies of both the slain had been disposed off as unidentified corpses.

Earlier, on the same night at about 11.40 a combined team of Imphal West commandos and troops of 23 Assam Rifles eliminated three suspected UG cadres at an encounter that took place at an isolated location in between Nongren and Nongpok Kakching under Lamlai police station in Imphal East.

Of the three slain, two have been identified as Jamkhomang Mate (25) s/o Nungkhosim of Moreh Ward No 1 and Kangjam Sanahal alias Sanathoi (23) of Sekmaijin Khunou.

Body of the third victim has been disposed off as no one came forth to claim the same.

In the early hours of November 22 two drivers of the Irrigation and flood Control Department (thoubal Project) were found shot dead and abandoned inside a Maruti car at near a crematorium of Leimakhong mapal Khul (village) under Lamlai police station.

The deceased duo are Yumlembam Inaobi alias Sahadev (40) s/o Manisana of Ucheckon Takhok Mapal and Maibam Chaoba (56) of Khurai Nandeibam Leikai.

According to sources, an Assistant Engineer of the Thoubal Project namely B Brajagopal Sharma assigned the two to visit Maphou (Mapithel) Dam the previous day.

The Maruti car belongs to the AE.

Two suspected members of the banned PULF organisation were slain by Thoubal district police commandos and troops of 34 AR at near Thambalnu Keithel of Yairipok with the security forces recovering two 9 mm pistol along with seven rounds from the deceased persons whose identities have been established as Md Abdul Helim (35) of Irong Salam Achouba and Md Azizur of Minuthong Hatta.

In a gruesome incident on November 26, well armed unidentified persons in combat dress targeted sprayed bullets at labourers/workers engaged in Maphou Dam construction activities during which five died on the spot and one suffered injuries.

The deceased five have been identified as heavy trick driver Yumnam Kumar (45) of Nongada Awang Leikai; driver Thounaojam Nongal (45) of Nongpok Heirok Mayai Leikai, tipper driver Loitongbam Naobi (20) of Nongada Mayai Leikai; excavator operator Manzoor (30) from Barapur of Cachar district in Assam and Manzoor's assistant Devendra Thapa (30) of Ikou Tera Makhong.

According to the injured Heikrujam Inaobi (29) of Moirang Purel Mayai Leikai the gunmen abducted the six from their work site at near Nongdum Tangkhul village and after lining them up opened indiscriminate firing.

Prior to the bloody assault the gunmen also pushed down the trucks down a deep gorge, according to Inaobi who was brought to RIMS Hospital the next of the incident.

Two more suspected UG cadres fell prey to bullets of Bishnupur police commandos and 12 MLI troops on November 29 night at Yarou Bamdiar under Nambol PS.

One 9 mm pistol along with a magazine and four rounds as well as a hand-grenade were recovered from the two slain persons, whose identities are yet to be established.

The bodies would be disposed tomorrow in case the corpses are not claimed.

In another shoot-out on November 30 afternoon at near Wabagai Tera Pishak of Thoubal district, commandos of the district police and troops of 21 AR killed two suspected UG cadres from whom one 9 mm pistol with two rounds and a Sten Carbine with three rounds have been recovered.

Later on the same day, one Pebam Bobo (27) of Pebiya Pandit Leikai in Imphal East district got killed in an encounter with Thoubal district police commandos at the same locality.

Police suspect Bobo to be a KYKL cadre.

Three more suspected UG cadres were slain by a combined team of Thoubal police commandos and 34 AR at Pechi Lamkhai under Yairipok police station at around 5.10 pm yesterday.

The recovered items have been listed as one .32 pistol with three rounds in the magazine, one 9 mm pistol with four rounds in the magazine and a Chinese-made handgrenade.

Two out of the three deceased persons have been identified as Waikhom Rabichandra alias Kabi (25) and his cousin brother W Somen (30) from Ningomthong Kitna Panung.

Family members of the two had been refusing to claim the bodies contending that both are innocent civilians.

At Mongjang village in Senapati district one Paominlun Lhouvum (18) s/o Haosat of the same village was shot dead by unidentified person/s at around 9.30 pm of Nov 30.The latest incident of gunfight reportedly occurred at around 5.45 pm at Changangei-Ucheckon area near Imphal (Tulihal) Airport today during which a UG suspect was gunned down by commandos of Imphal West district police.

The police have recovered and seized a pistol with two live rounds and a Kinetic Honda moped from the deceased person.

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