IMPHAL, April 30: MLA MK Preshow who was elected on a Congress ticket from 45-Chingai (ST) constituency of Ukhrul District escaped an ambush by suspected underground cadres today.
According to a source ,the incident occurred near Kuiva Kacho village 3km and a half towards Imphal from Ukhrul town at around 2.32 p.m. The source further said that MLA MK Preshow left Imphal for Ukhrul for a two-day visit to Ukhrul accompanied by top officials of some Departments and a team of media persons. He attended his reception function at the office of the District block congress committee at Ukhrul district head quarter yesterday.
He was to leave Ukhrul for Imphal after attending an exhibition organized by the Commerce and Industries Department of the state at Tolloi Ground of Ukhrul at around 11.45. But the exhibition was not officially held, following which he headed towards Imphal after attending a public meeting held at the village court complex. The total number of 10 vehicles of the team led by MLA MK Preshow included five vehicles for his escorts and the four remaining vehicles in which officials and media persons were travelling.
When the team of 10 vehicles came close to Kuiva Kacho village, suspected underground cadres who were lying in wait ambushed the team by firing guns at them after hurling and exploding hand grenades. The hand grenade which was being hurled went past the vehicle in which MLA was travelling and hit a bullet proof Maruti Gypsy of escorts which followed the MLA vehicle and exploded. There was an exchange of fire between the escorts of MLA and the unidentified persons for some minutes during which MLA MK Preshow and his escort personnel did not sustain injuries while UG cadres who ambushed left the spot. It cannot be confirmed whether they received injuries.
It may be mentioned that 6th MR personnel are part of the house guards cum escorts provided to the MLA while the 7th MR personnel were being provided as additional escorts for his trip. On hearing about the incident. combined forces from Ukhrul District Head Quarter rushed and helped the MLA and his escorts. A search operation was conducted in and around the scene of the incident. After the exchange of fire, MLA MK Preshaw returned to Ukhrul District Headquarters and he arrived at Imphal along with additional security forces.