AR kills two including PREPAK leader

Imphal, February 10: Two persons, including the deputy finance secretary of the underground PREPAK, were shot dead by troops of the Assam Rifles(AR) in two different incidents today. The PREPAK's deputy finance secretary, Salam Khomba alias Kumar alias Rajcn alias Nabachandra, 38, of Nongpok Sekmai Makha Leikai, was killed in what sources said was a five hour long encounter with PREPAK rebels in the early hours today at Heirok part II Khanarok. Official sources said the encounter occurred after troops of the 7th Assam Rifles posted at Khongjom laid an ambush in the Heirok part II area following reports of the presence of underground cadres. The sources said that at around 4:14 pm, two persons who were moving suspiciously were ordered to halt. The two men however fired upon the troops, who immediately retaliated. One of the cadres was killed while the other managed to escape, the sources said, adding a Chinese made pistol with magazine containing four live rounds was recovered from his possession. Sources said the firing lasted till around 7:30 am in the morning. The body was taken to the morgue at the Lilong PHC, where the family of the deceased later confirmed his identity as Khomba. In the meantime, another report said Khomba had been picked up by AR troops from Khongjom Makha Leikai on Thursday at around 8 pm. The deceased had joined the underground outfit some 18 years back, and served for some time as secretary, organization, of the outfit. In another incident, one Ngangom Bobby 27, a resident of Sekta Mayai Leikai, said to be a rickshaw driver, was shot dead by personnel of the 8th Assam Rifles on the banks of the Iril river at Sekta this morning at around 10 am. Family sources said AR personnel accompanied by three persons dressed in civilian clothing, came to Bobby's house this morning, and forced him to reveal the location of some weapons he had apparently hidden. The sources said he was made to take a spade and dig at a spot on the bank of the Iril river, where an AK-47 rifle and a .303 rifle were recovered. Thereafter, local residents heard a fusillade of shots, and the AR personnel hurriedly left the area. Bobby's bullet-riddled body was later found upon the river bank. On the other hand, a press handout from the Assam Rifles said the slain man was killed in an encounter, describing him as a hardcore underground cadre. The handout said a search column of the 8th AR was fired upon while moving towards an underground hideout along the banks of the Iril river, an underground cadre was killed and an AK-47 rifle was recovered. The AR column further chased the UGs across the river and a .303 rifle was recovered during a search of the area, the statement said.