Imphal, February 18, 2010: Five underground activists were killed by troops of Assam Rifles in an alleged gunbattle on the bank of Taret River in Chandel district even as Imphal West district police commandos have apprehended three members of RPF/PLA and 11 activists of KCP (Lamphel group) in different counter insurgency operations carried out during the past 24 hours in Manipur.

The five underground cadres were killed by the troops of 12 Assam Rifles of 10 Sector under HQ IG AR (South) near the bank of the Taret River in Chandel district bordering with Ukhrul district.

The place lies within the jurisdiction of Kasom Khullen police station.

They were killed by the troops who launched operation in the area based on a tip-off on the movement of armed militants along the Taret River of Chandel district at about 10.30 pm yesterday, a press release issued by PRO, HQ IG AR (S) informed today.

The troops observed suspicious movement of 10 to 12 armed militants.

When the troops challenged them, they fired a hail of bullets toward the troops.

The troops instantly retaliated resulting in heavy exchange of fire for about half an hour.

The militants tried to escape taking advantage of dense undergrowth foliage towards Taret River, the PRO, IG AR (S) stated in his press release adding that after the firefight that ensued, five dead bodies of militants were recovered by the troops.

Two AK 47 with three magazines loaded with seven live rounds, one 9 mm pistol (M-20) with magazine, one 7 mm pistol with magazine and two live rounds, a 9 mm pistol with two live rounds, two Chinese hand grenades, six fired cartridge cases of AK 47 and three empty cases of 9 mm were recovered from the spot where the dead bodies were found.

The dead bodies of the slain militants along with the recovered items have been handed over to Kasom Khullen Police Station today.

Further operations are still in progress, the press release added.

In the meanwhile, Imphal West district police commandos arrested three overground members of RPF/PLA and recovered huge cache of ammunitions.

The three arrested members of RPF/PLA have been identified as Sharungbam Bimol Singh (30), son of S Kesho Singh of Yairipok Yambem Makha Leikai, Soubam Pungou Singh (50), son of (L) Modhu Singh of Yairipok Yambem Makha Leikai and Moirangthem Ibomcha Singh (38), son of (L) M Tomba Singh of Yairipok Yambem Makha Leikai.

Police claimed to have seized a huge cache of ammunitions, which included 2100 arounds of AK series, 500 rounds of M-16 ammunitions, 70 lethod bombs, 10 China-made hand grenades with detonators, 13 China-made 2 inch mortar shells, two magazines of AK, one mobile phone and one Honda Activa (MN 01R-0893). The ammunitions were recovered following disclosures made by two of the arrested members from a house, said Additional SP, Imphal West, AK Jhaljit.

The members were nabbed during an overnight cordon search operation after an encounter between a combined force and some heavily armed cadres yesterday evening at Ngarian area, Jhaljit said.

In another significant achievement, Imphal West district police commandos arrested 11 activists of Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP)-Lamphel group including a woman, allegedly involved in various crimes related with extortion and intimidating general people today.

The arrested cadres are Thongam Bungbung @ Bung(30) of Kwakeithel Thounaojam Leikai and Potsangbam Alexander @ Aupa @ Alex of Keishamthong Hodam leikai,Thongbam Sanjoy @ Ibochouba(36) of Kakwa Lamdaibung Leirak and Thongbam Joychandra @ Bhabi (38) of Kakwa Lamdaibung Thongbam Leirak, Thoidingjam Puspa @ Bebe(31) of Chanam Pukhri Mapal,Laishram Bikram @ Bung(24)of Sega road Khwairakpam Leikai and, Phurailatpam Andy Sharma (28) of Sega road Hajari Konjeng Leikai, Takhellambam Roshan @ Wahong (40) of Sagolband Nepra Menjor Leikai,Elangbam Jotish Singh @ Hui (27) of Keishampat Leimajam Leikai, Laishram Romen (35) of Sagolband Meino Leirak, Sagolsem Shanker(35) of Uchiwa Leirak Achouba presently staying at Sega road, all in Imphal West district.

Five demand letters were seized from the 11 activists, said SDPO, Imphal West district police, S Ibomcha Singh, who led the team in conducting the search operation based on a tip-off.

They were rounded up during police investigation into the incident of firing at the residence of Dr.K Nilachandra, head of department, Orthopedic of JN Hospital on Sega Road, Khwairakpam Leikai, he said.

The SDPO further said that during spot verification of the arrested activists, police came to know that they were actively involved in serving demand letters, extortion notes, collection of extortion money, transportation of arms and ammunitions, grenades, etc.

They also admitted that the firing at the residence of the doctor was done to intimidate the doctor and extort money from him, Ibomcha added.

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