IMPHAL, Feb 7: Amidst growing public apprehension over the increasing claims of fake encounters in the recent past, the widow of an alleged militant who was killed by a combined security team near Phayeng Don Bosco School yesterday claimed that he was an innocent civilian who had gone to procure brick from a brickfield with substantial cash in his possession.
The deceased has been identified as Jayanta, 41, son of Heitomba of Kumbi Kanjeingbung Mapal. At present, he was residing at Sayang Kurao Makhong. His family has severely refuted the security forces version of recovery of arms from him, stating that he was an innocent civilian and bread earner of the family.
A joint action committee has been formed in connection with the death of Jayanta and a memorandum has been submitted to the chief minister Okram Ibobi today. The memorandum urged the chief minister to order a judicial inquiry into the incident and punishment against the responsible personnel.
His widow Inakhunbi said Jayanta left his house in the evening and had Rs 30,000 in cash to procure building materials for construction work at a site in Takyel. Jewelery worth more than Rs 20,000 with him was also reported to be missing. After completing work at the brickfield, Jayanta had an appointment with a tuition teacher of his daughter, Inakhunbi told reporters.
On the other hand, police sources had reportedly asserted yesterday that he was killed during an encounter with a joint team of Imphal West district commando and AR. The security personnel have claimed to have recover a small fire-arm and a grenade from him.
Meanwhile, a combined team of Imphal East and Imphal West police commandos gunned down a UG suspect at Ningombam Airport Road at around 8:45 pm today.
According to police sources, one 9 mm pistol and a hand grenade were recovered from the possession of the slain youth.