Imphal, May 17: A suspected underground activist has been killed while a police commando suffered injuries in encounter at Hiyanglam Makha Leikai at around 11.15 am today.

The commando party deployed in the area on ROP duty for the Chief Mi-nister O Ibobi Singh�s programme at Sugnu were reportedly informed by a child of some unidentified persons with arms waiting by the roadside in a car at Lamjao area through which the chief Minister�s entourage had crossed half and hour earlier, said source.

The vehicle occupants are informed to have accelerated in the opposition direction when the commando personnel signalled them to stop thereby resulting in a hot motor chase.

as the unidentified persons numbering four abandoned the vehicle after a short-while and ran on foot the chase continued amid sporadic firing which later led to recovery of a body near the outhouse of one Elangbam Ibopishak.

His other companions informed to be armed as well with automatic weapons managed to escape.

Confirming the encounter report, a statement issued by SP/DGCR Vandana Karki said the security team belong to Thoubal police commando unit operating at Lamjao village area and Wabagai Lamkhai-Langmeidong axis under Waikhong police station.

A combined team of police and Assam Rifles launched combing operation to nab the escapees, the statement added.

One AK-56 rifle with six live rounds, 10 empty cases, three hand-grenade, two number of detonators, a wireless set, a Santro car (MN01/K 6045), an ID card of the political party Bahujan Samaj Party have been recovered from encounter spot as well as from the possession of the deceased.

Details of the BSP card is said to mention the holder�s name as its executive member M Tomba s/o Jit of Sekmaijin.

In addition to a tattoo mark inscribed �Ibung� on the left arm of the slain person, a letter dated May 3 found from the victim�s possession is informed to suggest having �completed training, is safe and sound� written by Aboi alias Romio.

The seized vehicle is said to be registered in the name of one Huidrom Debendro s/o H Babudhon of Samurou Bazar.

Informed source contended that the Santro car was hijacked this morning by four persons identifying themselves as PLA activists.

Identity of the commando personnel wounded in the skirmish has been established as Kongbrailatpam Sachikumar (28) of Khurai Puthiba Leikai.

Comment