IMPHAL, January 7: Two leaders of the United Revolutionary Front, URF Manipur were killed yesterday morning in what the police claimed was an encounter.
Bishnupur district SP N Herojit Singh further claimed during a press meet held later in the day that the two were involved in the two deadly IED blasts of December 15 at MG Avenue and December 21 at Khuyathong.
The slain militant leaders have been identified as Finance secretary, URF (Manipur) Keithellakpam Tiken Singh, 45, son of (L) K Anganghal Singh of Naorenmthong Khullem Leikai and the outfit`™s Home secretary Puyam Ruhini Meitei alias Mungyamba, 50, son of (L) P Indu Singh of Khurai Chingangbam Leikai.
The alleged shootout occurred around 11:30 am yesterday inside a private residence at Kwakta Khuman Makha Leikai.
Local sources said the house belongs to Md Mujibur Rehman, 28 who is a personnel of the India Reserve Battalion.
Locals also said that the involved police and commando personnel seem to be completely aware of the location and environment of the house as they didn`™t seek any direction from the locals while approaching the house.
It is also learnt that soon after the police team went into the house, locals heard some gun-shots and found the two persons dead.
One was found lying on the threshold of the house, while the other was killed near the latrine, informed sources.
The locals also said that the two could have been staying at the residence since some days back.
Meanwhile, soon after the incident additional police teams arrived at the spot and conducted a search operation after blocking entry of civilians.
After the conduct of inquest by the Forensic experts and police enquiry, the two bodies were deposited at the RIMS mortuary.
Later around 7pm yesterday, the Bishnupur district SP N Herojit Singh called a press conference at the office of the OC Cdo.
He said on getting information about the presence of some armed militants at the residence of Md Mujibur Rehman, a team of the district police and commandos led by additional SP/ IW Vikramjit and additional SP/ BPR Manjit Singh the operation to flush out the militants was conducted.
The two police officers were also assisted by OC/ Cdo Imphal West inspector P Sanjoy Singh and OC/ Cdo Bishnupur inspector Sadananda and other personnel, he said.
The SP also claimed that the police team was fired upon by the two militants on approaching the residence, which made the police team to retaliate, killing both of them.
Two 9mm pistols, one Chinese hand grenade and a demand letter among other things were recovered from the two, he told the media persons. However, the recovered items were not displayed during the press conference.
Meanwhile, family members have identified the two bodies today at the RIMS mortuary.
Speaking to media persons at the RIMS morgue today, Tiken`™s family members said he had been detained under the National Security Act after his arrest at Guwahati in the past.
He has a son and a daughter, the family members said adding that after a long stay at home he left on September 27, 2014 and never returned again.
On the other hand, Ruhini`™s family said he had celebrated Ningol Chakkouba last year at his home.
Ruhini had started living by growing vegetables and rearing fish at home, they said adding that he suddenly went away last year and then never returned.
It is also learnt that even after the family members had identified the bodies and the Lamphel Police Station has being informed, post mortem examination of the two bodies were not conducted as the concerned investigation officer had failed to turn up till late evening.
It may be mentioned that the URF, Manipur was formed during a two-day joint meeting of the KCP/MTF- Sunil Meitei, KCP/ MC- Chingkheingamba and KCP/ MC- Lanheiba Meitei held on September 9 and 10, 2011.
The outfit had signed a MoU with the State government and Centre on February 13, 2013 during which slain Ruhini was one of the three representatives of the outfit signing the deal.
Later after staying at the Loitang Khunou designated camp, the outfit slipped out and had gone underground again on September 22, 2014.