IMPHAL, Nov 5 (MNS/ NNN): A self-styled lieutenant of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the armed wing of the proscribed Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), who had been reportedly pulled up by unidentified people suspected to be security force personnel on November 2, was shot dead at a place called Zero Point located between Lunghar and Fangrei in Ukhrul district of Manipur in the morning of Monday.
The killed PLA lieutenant has been identified as Hijam Babu aged 33, son of late H Shital, a resident of Andro Kharam Leikai in Imphal East. His family said Babu was supposed to marry next March.
Babu was allegedly abducted by security personnel from Andro Kharam Dam near Leicheng Khappam around 7 pm of November 2. His aunt named Chingakham Thambalngou told reporters that Babu came to her residence that night before he was forcibly took away by the unknown people. He entered her residence and took a jug of water saying he wanted to give it to his friends waiting outside the residential gate. The unidentified duo came in a two-wheeler, she added.
She suddenly heard a noisy sound of commotion near the gate. She then went outside to see it but saw Babu being pulled up and whisked away in a Bolero jeep by around 10 security personnel wearing khaki pants.
However, he was found death at Zero Point located between Lunghar and Fangrei in Ukhrul district around 8 am. His dead body was spotted by some villagers. Two bullets hit his left side head, according to police.
The family of Babu lodged a complaint with Yairipok Police Station regarding his kidnapping by unidentified people on November 3. However, the police told them that there was no official report of his arrest. Other concerned police stations also answered the same, Thambalngou further said.
Meanwhile, All Andro Meira Paibi Association (AAMPA) staged a protest dharna over the arrest of Babu at Andro bazaar. At the demonstration site, troops of 28 Assam Rifles came and tried to take photograph of the protest but the meira paibis pulled down the banner and placards and then showed their back at the AR personnel. Seeing the non-cooperative act of the protesters, the AR troops left the site.
Reports said that the dharna was organized before the news of Babu’s death reached his village. The sit-in protest was organized behind the banner: “Keep Babu safe if the law wants to punish him.” They also held placards that read: “Release Babu safely and find out whereabouts of him.”
At the demonstration, Aheibam Ongbi Tenu, president, AAMPA said killings of people after forced disappearance are occurring frequently in the State. She also said the people are against such arbitrary act.
A team of Thoubal district police commandos has arrested three cadres of PREPAK (PRO) including a woman cadre during a search operation conducted at separate places on November 4.
Superintendent of Police, Thoubal district stated that one Oinam Paikhomba @ Tomba @ Khomba Singh (22) s/o O. Babu Singh of Thoubal Mayai Leikai was arrested from Leishamthem Khong Manung at around 9.45 am and recovered one 9mm pistol with magazine and 3 live rounds of 9mm ammunition from his possession.
On the follow up operation at Thoubal Mayai Leikai and Koirengei area the team arrested two more cadres of PREPAK (PRO) namely Khangembam Bijita @ Bita Devi (32) d/o (L) Kh. Ibomcha Singh of Thoubal Mayai Leikai and Maibam Sanjitkumar Singh (40) s/o M. Babu Singh of Koirengei Mamang Leikai from their respective houses at about 10.35 am and 11.50 am respectively.
On further questioning, the arrested militant cadres revealed that they are the active workers of PREPAK (PRO) working in the outfit’s finance section under the command of one s/s Commmander Ratan @ Bairon and they are involved in the extortion of money from the general public and also in recruiting new cadres for the outfit. Accident
27 Assam Rifles of 28 Sector under HQ IGAR(S) provided assistance to the accident victims on 04 Nov 2012 at around 1230 hours. A truck carrying 32 students plying from Churachandpur to Serou Village for Picnic, The vehicle lost control near Sugnu in Thoubal District and fell in to a deep drain, resulting in injuries to 16 students. Medical team of 27 Assam Rifles swung in to the action and rushed to the accident site and evacuated the victims to the Unit MI Room at Sugnu, where necessary medical aid was provided to the accident victims.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/one-shot-dead-three-held/
