Imphal, March 28: In a fresh spurt to inter UG feud in Churachandpur district, three Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) cadres and one HPC (D) member were killed when the two groups clashed at Rengkai village, about two kilometres from the CCpur Police station around 9 am today.

Unconfirmed sources said that at least two others were also injured, but nothing further could be known as none of them were admitted to the hospital.

The three ZRA members who were killed today are.

Zamkhosuon alias M Suon (22), s/o L Holkhopao of L Khaukual village; Paukhanmuan alias Bushan (20), s/o Thangkhup of Suangdoh village and Lunkhokam alias German (19), s/o Doukhokam of Aigejang village, Sadar Hills.

The HPC member was identified as Solomon Zohmingthang (26), s/o Remsang of Rengkai Edenthar, CCpur.

All of them bore bullet injuries in the head and police sources said that they were shot at from close range.

According to a source close to the ZRA, the whole episode started yesterday when ZRA arrested a man from New Bazar area while he was extorting money in the name of ZRA and RPF.

The man later claimed that he is a PREPAK member but was later found to be an imposter with links to the HPC.

An agreement was made to hand over the person to the concerned organization today, it said.

Around 8.30 am today at meal time, the man managed to escape and fled towards Rengkai with the ZRA cadres hot on his heels.

The ZRA cadres who were chasing the man were intercepted at Rengkai and killed in cold blood by the HPC(D) cadres who waylaid the chasing team, it said.

Another source close to the HPC(D) however said that the three were killed after they gunned down Solomon at Rengkai.

The HPC did not know that they were ZRA members before hand, it said and added that the HPC is ready to trace the imposter who escaped from the ZRA custody.

The ZRA cadres along with some locals later recovered the bodies of the three persons and they were taken to YPA Hall, New Lamka where a funeral service was later held.

In an announcement, the ZRA said that it will fully investigate the matter and action will be taken on the basis of the finding.

It said that the ZRA never regarded the HPC as enemy and emphasized that the three dead cadres will not die in vain and the organization will not hesitate to take any action that is necessary.

It also appealed to the public to remain calm and not to make it a communal issue.

What ever action to be taken will be taken by the ZRA itself and no one.

else, it said.

The three were later buried at the New Lamka YPA cemetery after post mortem today itself.

The HPC(D) cadre was buried at Rengkai cemetery.

Security has also been also beefed up in the aftermath of the incident.

IGP V Zathang also visited Lamka today and held a meeting with the SP/CCpur LH Lhatoo and DIG AR Rahman in the evening.

A source said this evening that negotiation is going on between the parties involved and the HPC(D) had also returned the weapons seized from the slain ZRA men and a bike to the ZRA late in the evening.

On hearing the loud report of gun fire, local people panicked and fled the area, adds our staff reporter from Imphal.

This is not the first time that underground organisations have clashed in CCpur this year.

On February 28, three KNF (Zougam) cadres including its commander-in-chief were killed in a fierce gun fight with another rival group at Patle village located about 10 kms west of Churachandpur police station.

Comment