2 AR men, 2 civilians hurt in gun battle with PLA
AR vehicle and civilian house destroyed, 2 women missing
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 29 2012:
At least two Assam Rifles personnel and two other civilians were seriously injured in a fierce gun battle which erupted between cadres of People's Liberation Army (PLA) and personnel of 24 AR at Khoibu Centre in Chandel District this morning.
In the gun battle, a vehicle of the 24 AR and the house of a villager were destroyed.
Another two women from the village have also gone missing, reports from the spot revealed.
One of the villagers, who sustained injuries in the gunfight, has been identified as T Selngaingam (T Moshel) (65) .
His left arm was badly hit by bullets, almost severing from his body.
The identity of other injured other villager could not be identified till the time of filing this report.
Reports reaching Hueiyen Lanpao said that at least two AR personnel were seriously wounded in the gunfight though their identities have not yet been disclosed officially.
The two injured personnel have been reportedly evacuated to Sita for necessary medication.
The two women, who reportedly went missing after eruption of the gunfight, have been identified as K Lumsel (55) and S Bongram (45) .
According to information culled from the site of the incident, cadres of PLA numbering around 40 of them arrived at Khoibu Centre at around 10 am today.
While they were stationing at Riyang School and preparing food, a team of 24 AR unexpectedly came to the village.
As soon as the PLA cadres on sentry duty post showed the AR personnel coming in a vehicle, they started firing.
The PLA cadres attacked the AR vehicle with lethod guns destroying it completely.
After a non-stop gun battle for about 10 minutes, the PLA cadres retreated from the area.
However, the AR personnel chased after them and the gun battle resumed at two different places in Riyang as well as at Belyang village.
Heavy gun battle continued in these areas where bombs and lethods were used by both the parties.
Reports further informed that both Riyang and Belyang village are under Khoibu Centre.
Riyang is inhabited by Khoibu tribe while Belyang village is a Kuki settlement.
A house was destroyed in the gun battle.
It belonged to one T Selngaingam, who also sustained bullet injuries.
After the gun-battle, AR personnel have recovered haversacks from the Biyang Community Hall where the PLA cadres were stationing.
However, there is no report of arms and ammunitions being recovered from the spot.
The personnel of AR have reportedly surrounded all the villages under Khoibu Centre and the villagers prohibited from stepping out of their houses.
Meanwhile, three villagers of Belyang village have been reportedly picked up by AR troopers and they are being kept in their custody with both their alleged hands tight.
Among the three, one of them is said to be a teacher in Haikot Village.