Imphal, September 05: Under contradictory claims, two persons were by shot dead by personnel of 22 Maratha Light Infantry at Sagaisabi, about 6 kms west of Mayang Imphal Police Station last night at around 10.The slain persons have been identified as Salam Tomba (35) of Thanga Karang and Haobijam Rajen alias Tata (51) of Thanga Karang, but was staying at his wife�s place at Ithing.

Salam Tomba is also said to be a family man and father of three sons.

A PIB (DW) press handout, however claimed that the two were militants and were killed during an encounter.

As part of the ongoing counter insurgency operations, the troops of 22 Maratha Light Infantry based at Mayang Imphal under the aegis of HQ 9 Sector Assam Rifles launched an operation in general area of Kulalpat (part of Loktak lake) near Charoibung village last night when the party came under heavy fire from the militants.

The scout who was moving ahead of the column was hit by a bullet, however, the bullet proof jacket saved him.

In the ensuing retaliating firing, two militants were killed on the spot, the PIB (DW) hand out said.

It is presumed that one more militant was also killed in the operation but his body has been taken away by his associates.

Two AK series Rifles and one SLR weapons along with live ammunition and magazine were recovered from the incident site and the slain militants and recovered arms and ammunitions have been handed over to Mayang Imphal Police Station, PIB (DW) added.

Contrary to the claim of the PIB (DW), information received by the press, said that both the slain persons were fishermen who earned their livelihood through fishing activities usually at nights.

Unofficial source informed that Tomba and Rajen were out fishing as usual at Sagaisabi last night.

While they were having their meal along with some other persons at a nearby fishing-hut, another person who is allegedly an army informer came to the area and had an argument with them.

Not long after the alleged informer left the place, Army personnel rushed in and cordoned the area.

The bodies of Tomba and Rajen were picked up and kept at the Mayang Imphal post of the 22 Bn Maratha Light Infantry till 10 am today.

Talking to media persons, Co of 22 Bn Maratha Light Infantry, Gurmeet Singh claimed that besides the two slain militants, another suspected militant was arrested.

Two AK-47 Rifles and a SLR which were recovered from the slain militants and the suspected militant would be handed over to the nearest police station.

The suspected militant, who was later handed over to the Mayang Imphal Police Station, identified as Khumakcham Shyamjai (48) s/o Kh Ibotombi of Mayang Imphal Konchak, however, has a different story to tell.

He told mediapersons at the police station that he was arrested by the Army personnel while returning home after fishing at around 6 pm yesterday.

Thanga A/C MLA S Ibohal visited the post of the 22 Bn Maratha Light Infantry at Mayang Imphal and Mayang Imphal police station to find out the truth of the matter.

Addressing mediapersons at his Babupara official residence later in the evening, the MLA strongly condemned incident and demanded a judicial inquiry into it.

He said both the slain persons were innocent and so there is no way in which arms and ammunition could have been recovered from their possession.

In order to find out the truth, the State Government should institute a judicial inquiry, he demanded.

The MLA informed that he would be meeting the Chief Minister in-charge Th Debendra tomorrow to prevail upon the Government to give ex-gratia to the family members before the Shradha ceremony of the slain persons and jobs to one of the members of the bereaved families.

Reacting to the statement issued by the PIB Defence Wing in connection with the last night incident, Ibohal said it was false and concocted.

�I have verified the matter myself�, he asserted.

Run over: A non-Manipuri person was reportedly ran over to death by a Canter playing between Sekmaijin and Kakching at around 6.30 am today, according to police source.

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