Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Aug 30:
In a dare devilry act, a youth was killed after he stole an INSAS rifle from an IRB personnel and tried to make good his escape today at about 2 pm at Sepangzar village under Moirang police station.
The incident occurred when the youth tried to sneak away with the weapon from the IRB men stationed at the District Institute of Education Training and the office of Moirang SDO, said sources and added that not only IRB men but police commandos were also present at the site when the youth stole the weapon and tried to run away.
Sepangzar village is located between Ngangkha Lawai and Wangthrok.
The youth who was shot dead after a hot chase is identified as Paokhothang alias Sharon Haokip (20) son of the chowkidar of the DIET centre, Paokholun alias Boipu Haokip of Tuibong in Churachandpur district.
According to sources, Paokhothang deftly took away the INSAS rifle issued to a personnel of the 2 IRB and tried to sneak away through a paddy field located towards the south of the village.
The security personnel were alerted by the villagers who informed them they had seen a civilian running away with a gun.
Immediately the personnel from whom the gun was stolen started chasing Paokhothang without any arm all the while urging the youth to give back the rifle.
Paokhothang however replied that he would return the gun soon, but did not stop running.
Exhausted due to the running the two even sat down in the middle of the field to catch a breathe, said sources.
As news of the incident reached Imphal, additional forces were rushed to the village.
As the additional forces cut off the escape route, Paokhothang was caught in between and was gunned down by the IRB and commandos who were hot on his trail.
The INSAS rifle stolen by him was also recovered.
Moirang police have retrieved the body and deposited it at RIMS morgue.
A departmental inquiry is also likely to be initiated against the IRB man from whom the weapon was stolen.
Killed in encounter : A suspected militant was killed in a gun battle with troops of 7 Assam Rifles at Salan Konjin under Kumbi police today at about 12.30 pm.
Though the place of incident falls under the jurisdiction of Kumbi police, the AR troops handed over the body of the slain man to Moirang police.
According to the report submitted by the AR, the deceased may be a cadre of the PREPAK or UNLF.
One M-20 pistol with seven live rounds and one Chinese hand grenade were recovered from him.
PRO of PIB Defence Wing said that another militant was injured but he escaped.
Mishap claims one : A 30 year old man was killed while a 21 year old youth was injured when the CBZ motor cycle they were riding plunged into a culvert in between Ngaikhong and Keinou in Bishnpur district today at about 2 pm.
The deceased is identified as Nameirakpam Asanand son of Bira of Khumbong Awang Leikai.
He died at the spot.
The body has been retrieved and is presently kept at RIMS morgue for necessary post mortem.
The injured has been identified as Chingakham Jayenta (21) son of Polen of Khumbong Maning Leikai.