Imphal, September 09, 2009: A rickshaw puller and a tata Sumo driver were killed among the six men killed by a combined force of 12 Maratha Light Infantry and Imphal west police commandos in two separate shoot out incidents last night at Awang Khunou village along NH-53 in Imphal west district.

With the establishment of identities of four of the six persons, families today denied the police charged of killing them in encounter.

The slain man said to be rickshaw driver was identified as Md Tomba alias Atomcha (30) son of late Iboton of Mayang Imphal Bengoon presently resided at Hatta Golapati, Imphal while the other one said to be driver of Imphal-Moreh service Tata Sumo vehicle (MN01K-7033) was identified as Md Rehman (38) of Hatta Golapati.

The other two slain youths who their respective families claimed to be mobile re-charge retailers and going out from home for their business of the day were Kshetrimayum Gobin (28) son of Gouramani of Keishamthong Hodam Leirak and Ngasepam Danny (25) son of Achouba of Sega Road Khwairakpam Leikai.

A statement of the Imphal west SP, L Kailun, they were killed in the retaliatory action of the combined team who were on frisking and checking duty at Awang Khunou area on the NH-53 last night around 10.30 pm.

While the personnel are performing their duty a motorcycle was coming from Khumbong side towards followed by a tata sumo vehicle.

When the vehicles were asked to stop for verification and frisking and checking, instead of stopping they attempted to flee from the spot by speeding and firing towards the police party from sophisticated weapons, the SP said in the statement.

In the retaliatory firing of the police, two motorcycle riders and another three occupants of the Tata Sumo vehicles were found dead near the vehicle and another succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital, it added.

The statement further claimed recovery of one M-16 rifles with one magazine loaded with 10 rounds, three 9 mm pistols with a magazine each, seven 9mm ammunition with four empty cases, one tata sumo vehicle, steel grey in colour (MN01N-0335).The seized Tata Sumo was found registered in the name of one Pheiroijam Anand son of Kunjabihari of Tera Khmnam Leirak at present Chingmeirong while the motorcycle in the name of one Ksh Govindas son of Couramani of Keishamthong Hodam Leirak.

While, families today with separate stories related the killing as fake encounter as all of them went out from their respective homes yesterday for works.

Md Tomba was a rickshaw puller, according to the family, he was a rickshaw puller and failed to return home after he went out with the rickshaw yesterday at about 10 am.

In the afternoon, before he was killed Tomba, over mobile phone told his wife that he is going with some unknown persons who abducted him from Langol area.

Since then, no contact could get.

Families claimed two other slain youths, Ksh Gopin and N Danny, both from Haobam Marak, Imphal.

They were mobile re-charge couple venders distributing re-charge couples from shop to shop in Imphal.

They went out together with a motor cycle to collect money from the shops for the re-charge couple in the evening together.

Even though, identities of the four were established, families refused to accept the bodies decrying police claimed of killing them in encounter.

Meetings were reportedly held at their respective localities and discussed on the killings.

Mother of Gobin Bilashini talking to reporters today said that his son had went out from home yesterday evening at around 6 as usual to collect money from the shops where he supply recharge couple of mobile phone.

Except going out for his business matter, he most of the time stayed at home.

He was survived by his wife and two year old child.

Mother of Danny said Gobin went out from home as usual yesterday too with Gobin for their business.

As per as their knowledge is concern, he had no link with any underground group.

Younger brother of Govin also said that when he contacted his brother as he requires the motorcycle at about 6.40 pm, Gobin informed him that he would be back within 10 minutes.

But failure to back it late, he contacted at about 8 pm, the phone did not picked up and at about 9 pm, the phone could not get contact.

SMS send to his mobile got deliver report only this morning, he added.

Families supported by the locals, in the meantime, expressing doubt of killing them in fake encounter have demanded judicial probe into the incident and compensate the family.

Till the demands are fulfill, the dead bodies will not be accepted.

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