IMPHAL: After sealing off the international border along Manipur, State and Central forces here started intensive combing operations on Friday to flush out United National Liberation Front (UNLF) insurgents who shot dead a Junior Commissioned Officer.

T.B. Pun, post commander of the 24 Assam Rifles, was shot at and injured from close range at Moreh on Thursday afternoon near the international gate No.2. The JCO died on the spot. Personnel from the nearby post opened fire. One bullet accidentally hit a woman Tashi Bibi (25). Police said the UNLF insurgents most likely sneaked into Moreh from Myanmar and escaped to their camps there after killing the JCO.

The border was sealed off and thousands of Indian traders and shoppers in Namphalong and Tamu in Myanmar were stranded.

They were allowed to return late in the afternoon.

A spokesperson of the Manipur People's Army, the military wing of the UNLF, claimed responsibility for the killing.

Tribal insurgents killed

Imphal West district commandos gunned down two tribal insurgents in an encounter at Sangakpham near Imphal. The unidentified insurgents looked like Tangkhul tribals, police said.

They said a patrolling commando team surprised the insurgents who were about to enter a hotel. One sten gun, a magazine with three live rounds and a scooter were recovered.The Imphal West district police arrested Moirangthem Leo, an insurgent of the People's Liberation Army.No gun was found in his possession.

Former member hamstrung

The UNLF has also hamstrung a former member of the outfit for allegedly molesting and trying to rape a mentally challenged girl some days ago. Villagers rescued her after hearing her screams.

Nameirakpam Tondonba, a construction worker, who first denied the charge, later confessed to molesting the girl during interrogation, according to reports.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail