Three killed in Manipur shooting

Imphal: Two militants and one Assam Rifles personnel were killed in a shoot-out between security personnel and the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) in Tamenglong district of Manipur. Police said the exchanges of firing between the ZUF and the Assam Rifles occurred at Taodum village in Nungba sub division of Tamenglong district last night and this morning, resulting in the killing of two ZUF cadres and one Assam Rifles personnel.

According to the police, at around 6:30 pm, May 21, some cadres of ZUF in an apparent attempt to abduct one villager, identified as Chingkhudin, forced the man to drive his own vehicle to an undisclosed destination along with the ZUF cadres.

Feeling apprehensive, Chingkhudin took with him a relative of his wife, a 14 years old boy. On the way, the ZUF cadres put three more people in the vehicle. When they reached Taodum village vicinity, which lies between Nungba town and Kambiron, they saw personnel of the 13 Assam Rifles from F-Coy repairing one of their vehicles at around 8:30 pm.

Police said the security force personnel asked the incoming vehicle to stop but the ZUF cadres asked Chingkhudin to proceed. The security force personnel managed to stop them at which point Chingkhudin disclosed to the Assam Rifles personnel that he was being kidnapped by the ZUF cadres, the police added. The ZUF cadres jumped out from the vehicle and a gun-battle followed, which led to the death of one ZUF cadre, identified as one Makudin (42).

One Assam Rifles personnel identified as Takhellambam Gokil (25) and one Atuwa Oran were injured. While they were being transported to Leimakhing Military Hospital, Takhellam Gokil succumbed to his injuries.

Police said that a massive operation was conducted this morning in the Taodum village area which has been cordoned off since last night. At around 5:30 am on May 22, another gun battle broke out killing one more ZUF cadre. The deceased has been identified as one Mathuilan Haomei (30).

The Assam Rifles recovered two AK Rifles and two hand grenades from the site of the incident, the police stated. Meanwhile, the dead bodies of the two ZUF cadres and the jawan are deposited at the RIMS mortuary.

Source: http://www.morungexpress.com/regional/115901.html