Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 17:
One CRPF man was killed and nine others injured last night during an exchange of fire between suspected UG group and the 14th Bn CRPF stationed at Lamka Community Hall, Upper Lamka around 10.While official sources said that the death and injuries had occurred during the exchange of fire, reliable sources said that the casualties were wrought by an accidental explosion of a bomb inside the CRPF post.
The CRPF post at the AIR Station at Tuibuong was also fired upon simultaneously but no casualty or damage were reported.
It may be mentioned that the Post at Community Hall was also heavily attacked by the UNLF militants in the early hours of July 12.The deceased CRPF personnel last night is identified as Hav Dayanand, s/o Omkar Yadav of Gurgaon, Haryana.
He died of multiple bomb splinter wounds.
The other nine injured personnel are TK Pashana, 35; Batal Makeshbari, 29; Ganeshwore, 33; Budh Ram, 24; Mohan Ram, 33; A Bimolchand Singh, 27; Deepak Biswas, 29; Shiv Nath, 30 and Chet Ram, 40.Most of them were injured in the leg and arms and none of them were said to be in serious condition.
Sources said that the militants fired at the Community Hall post from the Lamka Cemetery area in the west provoking heavy retaliatory fire from the CRPF.
Most residential houses in the area surrounding the post bore the blunt of the CRPF retaliatory fire.
A bomb, believed to be fired by the militants hit the house of K.Kamzadong, ZeHang Veng, penetrating the roof and exploded on the floor, damaging a wide portion.
Another bomb hit the compound of Ninglam, Zo Colony.
A Maruti car (MN02/ 6362) belonging to K Ngulkhanthang DO (Hort) was also damaged by flying bullets.
A gas cylinder inside the house of K.Paukhanmang was hit but luckily it did not explode and the all the fluid oozes out.
About 10 houses nearby, especially those belonging to Ms Chingnou, K Chingzasiam, K Hauzavung and S Thangpu also bore numerous bullet marks.
Some rooms of the Churachandpur College were also damaged by the irate CRPF personnel who forcibly entered them, saying that they were fired upon from there.
Much of the laboratory equipments were said to be destroyed.
Many organizations including the Zomi Human Rights Foundation (ZHRF) and Churachandpur District Students Union (CDSU) condemn the repeated staging of fighting by the underground elements and said that the real aim of the militants was not only the security forces but the public.
In an unrelated incident, the CCpur Police fired at least eight tear gas shells and resorted to blank fire in front of the Police station around 1 pm today to control a group of women who were staging dharna in connection with the killing Ms Manorama at Imphal.
The police also lathi charged the agitating women.
All shops in the market places were closed for the day as some kind of bandh was imposed in relation to the killing of Manorama.
The effigies of the CM, Governor and 17th AR Commandant were also burnt.
The agitating women also submitted a memorandum to the Governor through the DC, saying in which they demanded the dismissal of the present Government for its failure to rein in the security forces and maintain peace in the state.
The District Magistrate also imposed a 144 Cr Pc in the town from around 11 am as a preventive measure in view of the fragile situation.
Our Staff Reporter adds: A CRPF constable with two bullet wounds was hospitalized at RIMS at around 2.40 pm today.
According to reports, the injured constable has been identified as Naresh (27) posted as residential guard at MP Rishang Keishing's private residence at Mantripukhri.
The injured constable who received two bullet wounds on the stomach was found profusely bleeding when other CRPF personnel rushed out on hearing sound of two gun shots.
The injured CRPF personnel belonged to the 26 Bn D-Company.