Imphal, January 11: Three persons including two student were reportedly shot dead by personnel of 28 Assam Rifles at Bonghol Khullen near Nongpok Keithelmanbi, about 18 kms north east of Yairipok Police Station last night at around 11.The three slain persons have been identified as Saikhom Samungou (20) s/o late Saikhom Amuyaima of Nongbrang Awang Leikai, Sanasam Ngongo Meitei (15) s/o Sanasam Naba of Nongbrang Makha Leikai and Thiyam Sunder (23) s/o late Thiyam Nabachandra of Thiyam Khunjao Awang Leikai.

A PIB Defence Wing handout, however, claimed that all of them were cadres of proscribed UNLF.

The handout said that based on hard intelligence that a group of militants were harassing local villagers by forcibly taking away rations and essential commodities in the areas of Bunghol Khullen and Chandrakhong, the Assam Rifles along with police commandos launched a joint operation.

The troops succeeded in eliminating three militants and recovered one AK-47 Rifle and two Chinese made grenades, besides a huge quantity of live ammunition and other war-like stores from the slain militants.

Police source, however, said the personnel of 28 AR handed over the three bodies to Yairipok Police Station at around 11.30 am today without furnishing any related documents.

According to the police source, out of the three slain persons, Thiyam Sunder was an activist of UNLF.

Sunder left his house some 4/5 years back to join the outfit.

However, local people have claimed that S Samungou and S Ngongo were innocent students.

In view of the killing of two students, tension is reported to be high in Thoubal district with possibility of violent protest erupting.

Meanwhile, personnel of 28 Assam Rifles reportedly handed over a PLA activist arrested from Thoubal Bazar last night to Thoubal PS today.

The activist is identified as Mutum Rabichandra (28) of Kiyam Siphaibabu Bazar.

Bodies taken back: The bodies of four of the five PREPAK cadres slain in the factional fight at Khordak Ichin on January 9 night have been taken back by family members after post mortem at RIMS morgue today.

The four cadres are Thongam Rojit alias Ram Singh (23) of Sekmaijin bazar, Hijam Roben alias Wangthoi (24) of Thoubal Nongangthong, Kh Ranjit alias Nanao alias Lang-daiba (25) of Ningom- thongjao and Ksh Surjit alias Sanjit alias SK (22) of Kakching Laithabon Ward number 10.One group of the outfit informed the press that of its three cadres injured in the shoot out, one died.

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