Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 16:
Reacting to the report which appeared in the April 14 issue of this paper under the caption, "KLA salutes, decries," the PRO of Assam Rifles in a statement today said that the allegation of the outfit that Lamneigin alias Thangboi Vaiphei was killed in a fake encounter after being picked up is totally false and aimed at maligning the image of the security force.
The Kuki Liberation Army entered into a Suspension of Operations agreemed with the security forces, said the PRO and added that as per the agreement, their cadres are restricted from moving out of the designated camps with weapons or any other arms.
However on April 11, the patrolling party of 32 Assam Rifles observed about 4/5 armed persons, with some in battle fatigues, moving in a suspicious manner at the general area of Andro, claimed the PRO and added that when challenged to stop they opened fire and in the ensuing gun fight one of them was killed.
On the statement of the KLA, the PRO said that the outfit did not mention that the slain militant was carrying a Burmese army issued army issued pistol and ICOM radio set which violates the suspension of operations agreement.
Secondly the claim of the KLA the slain man was a link man between the SF and the outfit is paradoxical as at no point of time had he contacted the commanders of 32 AR, claimed the PRO.
Thangboi Vaiphei was killed in a genuine encounter, it added.