IMPHAL, March 22: “Khangenbam Naocha was killed after being picked out from among his friends by a team of Bishnupur police CDOs and 33 Assam Rifles personnel while he was collecting money borrowed by one Pukhrambam Inaokhohee, 30 son of (l) Bijoy of Wangoo Sabal Mayai Leikai”, claimed family members today.
Khangenbam Naocha, 28 son of (l) Bor Singh of Wangoo Naodakhong was allegedly killed by a team of Cdo Bishnupur and 33 AR personnel during an encounter at Wangoo Sabal Mayai Leikai on Wednesday at around 8:40pm and recovered one 9mm pistol alongwith three live rounds from him, according to the police.
Negating the police claim of killing Naocha during an encounter, family members of the deceased has said that he was killed at the courtyard of Inaokhohee in front of his friends.
According to the family members, Naocha who works as a mason at Saikul had returned home at around 4:30pm on Wednesday.
However, instead of going straight to his home, he along with two of his co-workers and another friend lingered behind at a wine vendor, run by one Pukhrambam Somen of Wangoo Sabal Mayai leikai at his residence.
At around 8:30pm, he alongwith his companions came out of the vendor and went directly to the residence of Pukhrambam Inaokhohee to collect the sum of Rs 1300, which the latter had borrowed from him, family members informed.
However, even as he received the money, an argument ensued between the two, during which a team of the CDO Bishnupur and 33 Assam Rifles arrived at the scene and picked Naocha out and shoot him at the courtyard after making him lay down, the family alleged.
Further according to the family Naocha was a cadre of the UNLF, however after an arrest by police Cdos in the year 2006 from Moirang and after spending one and a half months in the jail, he had severed all ties with the outfit. He had started his own business of cutting wood and selling it alongwith masonry works.
He is survived by his wife and a one and half year old daughter, family source informed.
Post mortem was conducted on the dead body this evening at the RIMS morgue.
Family members have confirmed that they will received the body, however will further consult the local NGOs, clubs and Meira paibis on further steps to be taken out against the alleged fake encounter.