IMPHAL, August 28: In the aftermath of the abduction of Irungbam Irabanta by the NSCN (IM) on May 27 and the subsequent general strike to be begin from midnight of Tuesday demanding his release, state police commandos today shot dead a suspected KCP (MC) faction cadre in an encounter and rescued an individual who was kidnapped for ransom from their custody.
According to police sources, a member of the said outfit summoned the accountant of Mangalam Plywood factory , Kanglatongbi namely Radhakrishna Kanti Wada,40, s/o Diwakar Wada for negotiations. He was to arrive at Haraothel Kuki Village which comes under Senjam Chirang area by 2 pm today.The area jurisdiction is of the Sekmai police station.
The accountant went to the spot with another Meitei factory worker. After meeting the cadres, the accountant was told to stay back whereas the laborer was ordered to leave the spot.
Afterwards, Imphal West commando personnel after getting specific information started tracing the whereabouts of the accountant and at about 5 pm managed to locate his position. Later, there was a firefight between the kidnappers and the commandos near the spot where the accountant was held.
In the resulting skirmish, an UG cadre was shot dead and a 9mm pistol and handgrenade seized from his possession.
The accountant was later rescued from a house at Haraothel Kuki village.
The identity of the slain individual is yet to be established and is deposited at RIMS morgue for post mortem.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, troops of 9 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector under HQ IGAR (South) apprehended a UNLF cadre during a search operation at Pangal Basti in Chandel district on August 28, said a PRO IGAR release.
The statement further identified the alleged UNLF cadre as s/s private no 2369, Abdul Rehman alias Abbas, 18, son of Maju Uddin, resident of Pangal Basti, Ward No.5, Moreh.
One hand grenade and ten 5.56mm live rounds were recovered from the apprehended person who alongwith the recoveries was handed over to the Imphal West Police station, it said.
Further, troops of 24 Assam Rifles of 26 Sector under HQ IGAR (South) alongwith representatives of Tegnoupal Police station launched operation in Chamol village of Chandel district and apprehended two UG cadres on August 27, it further said.
The apprehended persons have been identified as No.10348 s/s l/cpl Thoi alias Keliver of PREPAK (GS), 26, son of Yaima, resident of Lamsang, Imphal West and No.440 s/s pvt Boinou Chingtham alias Khomba of KYKL, 24, son of Thoiba, resident of Thouthong, Imphal West, it said.
Two 9 mm Pistol with magazines and nine 9 mm live rounds were recovered from their possession who alongwith the recovered items was handed over to Imphal West Police station, it added.