One killed, six arrested, arms seized in Manipur

Imphal: Manipur Police commandos killed one suspected underground militant and arrested six others during an exchange of gunfire on Saturday at Salungpham Maning Leikai, Thoubal district.

The incident occurred around 9:30 am near Salungpham High School. Acting on information about the presence of armed persons in the area, police conducted a combing operation, leading to the encounter, police said.

Police exchanged gunfire with the armed group.

One 16-year-old individual, identified as Laishram Priyam alias Loktak of Thoubal Khunou Makha Leikai and a cadre of the proscribed PREPAK outfit, sustained a bullet injury to his right abdomen, police said.

The injured individual was rushed to Raj Medicity Hospital in Imphal. He succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Six individuals were arrested and seized three INSAS rifles with four magazines and 46 live rounds, one SLR rifle with two magazines and 25 live rounds, one .303 rifle with one magazine and 37 live rounds, and one AMOGH rifle with a magazine containing 27 live rounds.

A four-wheeler bearing the registration number MN06LB 8805 was also seized.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Thokchom Momocha alias Sunny, 41, of Heirok Part-II Mayai Leikai; Sarangthem Anand Singh alias Malem, 36, of Kakching Khunou Tampakmayum Lai Leikai; Ningthoujam Karna Singh alias Pishak, 27, of Samaram Mapi Leikai Maning Laibung; Ningthoujam Manoranjan alias Khagemba, 21, of Thinungei Kha Leikai; Thongam Phalguni alias Urikpa alias Khoithoi, 27, of Lamphel Sanakeithel; and Moirangthem Johnson alias Thouna, 21, of Lamphel Kombiei, currently residing at Khoyathong Polem Leikai

Police confirmed that all six are cadres of PREPAK.

A case has been registered at the concerned police station.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Science morgue, Imphal East.

The deceased’s mother, Laishram Geetamala, speaking to media persons at JNIMS morgue, said, “Due to the ongoing violence, my son left home around three months ago to defend the villages from Kuki militants. Today, at around 12 noon, I received a phone call informing me that my son was undergoing treatment at Raj Medicity in critical condition. He has been declared dead.”

She revealed that her son was preparing to appear for the upcoming High School Leaving Certificate examination.

“Bring an end to this ongoing crisis. Otherwise, many families will face the same pain as I face today.”