Imphal, January 18: Two civilians, including an 11 year old girl and a suspected underground activists have been killed in CRPF firing at Wangoo Saban Nungoi Leikai today.

The incident occurred at around 8.30 am today and is located about seven kilometres north of Sugnu police station.

According to eye witness accounts, a convoy carrying personnel of 132 CRPF stationed at Wangoo Lamkhai Wangjing Khunou was approaching Wangoo Laipham area.

The CRPF convoy also comprising of bullet proof vehicles were seen veering back towards Nungoi Leikai where suspected underground activists already entrenched in that area opened fire at the security personnel resulting in damage to the window-shields.

No casualty were reported on the CRPF side who descended from the vehicle and amid retaliatory firing engaged the fleeing militants in a fierce gun-fight.

While two of the attackers fled towards Wangoo Mamang Saban Nongyaikhong other accomplices are informed to have escaped in the direction of Chairen Saban.

With the CRPF men in hot pursuit of the two militants fleeing towards Saban Nongyaikhong nearby residents are said to have scampered for cover.

Moments later, one of the fleeing UG was found dead at the back-yard of one RK Dhimesana (32) of Nongyaikhong Mapan Nungoi Leikai from where an AK-47 rifles and a wireless set were also recovered.

As Dhimesana along with his 11 year old niece was taking cover at the garden the CRPF men opened fire from the rear and hit the girl who died instantly.

Another elderly man who was also taking cover nearby was also shot dead from close range by the CRPF personnel, informed sources detailed.

The deceased girls has been identified as Thokchom Pusparani d/o (late) Th Bhimjao of Wangoo Sagol Lambi.

Bhimjao had three daughters and a son.

After his death, Bhimjao�s wife named as Sobita had been staying at her maternal home at Wangoo Nungoi along with two daughters and the son.

Dhimesana is Sobita�s younger brother.

Pusparani, said to have passed class V last session in the Mamang Sabal Primary School suffered a fatal bullet wound at the side of the stomach.

Identity of the elder man killed in the CRPF shooting has been established as Lourembam Maipak (50) from Wangoo Mamang Sabal, Nungoi Leikai and is said to be a local priest (maiba).

According to family members, Maipak had gone out to have tea at the local hotel and ran for cover on hearing the firing.

He was shot at the chest.

The rampaging CRPF men are also informed to have severely thrashed Athokpam Rabei and his 23 year old son Inaotomba, RK Dhimesana, Thoudam Amuthoi (20) of Sagol Lambi, Loitongbam Shanti (40), Khunaijam Manglem (27) and Okram Ongbi Ibemcha (25).They were herded out from a house and beaten up, narrated the source.

Dhimesana, Shanti and Manglem are informed to have been evacuated by personnel of Shamulaman based Rashtriya Rifles for medical treatment.

On hearing the shoot-out, Thoubal district SP and Sugnu police station SDPO rushed to the encounter scene to contain further escalation of violence.

All the three bodies have been deposited at RIMS for necessary medical procedure.

The suspected UG slain in the firing was attired in a jacket with a camouflage arm pouch and a grey coloured wind-proof trouser.

A public meeting was also held this evening at Wangoo in connection with the incident and culminated with the formation of a Joint Action Committee on the firing incident.

The JAC is likely to submit a memorandum to the chief Minister O Ibobi Singh tomorrow.

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