One shot dead, two bodies found

Imphal, Feb 8 : A suspected KYKL activist has been gunned down by Thoubal police commandos while two bullet riddled bodies were recovered from a paddy field alongside an inter-village road in between Phumlou and Lairenkabi this morning with one of the deceased identified by family members later today.

According to a statement issued by SP (Thoubal) Clay Khongsai, a team of district police commandos rushed to Phundrei Langathel at about 3 pm today to conduct operation following on information regarding movement of KYKL cadres in the specified area.

About 30 minutes later when the commandos were inching towards langathel Phundrei hill 2/3 youths opened fire resulting in a brief encounter during which one got killed and others managed to escape towards the hill.

Subsequent search of the encounter spot yielded in the recovery of one 9 mm pistol and a magazine with two live rounds from near the body of the slain militant, the SP added.

On the otherhand, bodies where the two persons were found falls within the jurisdiction of Lamshang police station in Imphal West district.

According to police report, the victims were found at around 6.30 am today with their hands tied behind and one fatal wound each on the heads.

Police speculate both might have been shot in the night.

Family members identified one of the deceased as Loitongbam Angelo (33) s/o L Rajen of Konjengbam Leikai who also used to stay at Mongshangei and Yurembam.

Informing that Angelo's original birthplace was Konjengbam Leikai but stayed at his mother's maternal home in Mongshangei after separation of his parents, the family members who identified the deceased at RIMS morgue today further said Angelo used to frequent to his wife's place in Yurembam as well as his aunty's at Chirang.

They also quoted eyewitnesses as saying that Angelo was whisked away by some unidentified persons at around 8 pm yesterday from Koutruk area where he had gone to watch a religious programme (lai haraoba) .

An insurance agent, who was also involved in contract works, Angelo is survived by his wife and three daughters.

The other victim is clad in a blue colour jeans, black jacket, T-shirt with red-black stripes and wore a chappal.

Lamshang police have registered a case on the matter.

In the meantime, official measures have been taken for disposal of a body awaiting identification at RIMS morgue.

A statement issued today by Officer in-charge of Moreh Station said the body would be disposed off in case the same is not identified/claimed by tomorrow.

The corpse was among two suspected underground activists slain by troops of 29 AAR at Leibi village of Chandel district on January 30 night.