Four CRPF jawans shot dead in militant attack

Imphal, April 09: Four CRPF jawans were killed while two were injured when militants mounted an attack on a CRPF convoy at Pangei bazar today at about 2.30 pm. Two students including a girl were also killed. The market place was humming with activities when the attack came. Eight persons also received bullet injuries. Scores of civilians were injured when the CRPF went on a rampage. The injured have been admitted to RIMS and JN hospital. How the two students were killed is not clear. AMSU charged that they were killed by the CRPF after the militant attack. Sources said the 121 Bn CRPF personnel were on their way towards their post at Pangei in a four vehicle convoy. They were attacked while negotiating a turning. The militants who were apparently waiting in a parked truck opened a fusillade of fire. The four jawans were killed on the spot. The militants escaped towards Khudrakpam side in the truck. The CRPF personnel could not give immediate chase as the tyres of their vehicles were punctured in the gun attack. It is alleged that the personnel started opening fire all over the crowded place after the militants had fled. The boy is identified as Asem Romajit son of Kulajit of Khundrakpam, a class XII student of Naorem Birahari College, Pangei. He was shot on the left arm pit with the bullet penetrating through the right arm pit. His shirt was found tattered. He was found lying face down on the southern side of the road at Pangei bazar. The girl was found dead at a market shed where vegetables are sold. She was found face down with her hand pressed against the side of her stomach with a bag slung over her shoulder. A practical note book was also recovered from her. An ID card in the name of Yengkhom Surbala of Waiton Mayai Leikai was found in her bag. She was a student of Naorem Birahari College. AMSU, identified her as Yumnam Robita, daughter of one Deben of Khundrakpam Mamang Leikai. After the attack, the CRPF men went on the rampage and beat up a number of persons nearby. A number of shops were also ransacked by the enraged personnel. Vehicles parked at the market place were also destroyed by the CRPF men, eyewitnesses claimed. Fearing further reprisals people have fled the area. A number of shops were also found deserted with no one to man them. Police and IRB men had a tough time evacuating the injured to hospitals. CRPF Adl DIG OD Mathur assessed the situation. Additional CRPF forces have been rushed to the spot to conduct search operation. Those admitted to RIMS with bullet injuries are, Naorem Birahari (70) of Pangei (right thigh and left hand), Khoirom Premjit (30) of Pangei bazar (right chest), Leitanthem Dila (31) of Waiton (left heel and calf), Lunkhulun (30) of Saikul Tousem village (back side) and Ngaseppam Ranjit (25) of Yumnam Khunou (right waist). The injured to JN hospital are Ahanthem ongbi Thouranisabi (57) of Pangei bazar (posterior), Sanjenbam Hemanta (22) of Top Mayai Leikai (abdomen) and Konjengbam Binoy (23) of Laipham Khunou (left thigh). The two injured CRPF jawans are identified as rifleman Sahe alias Chotelal (31) and havildar Ilumlai (30). Chotelal received a bullet on the right thigh while Ilumlai received six bullet injuries all over the body. Over thirty persons including women and the aged have been admitted to RIMS and JN hospital after they were assaulted. Majority of them were beaten with gun butts, they alleged. AMSU reacted strongly against the action of the CRPF and said that the wanton shooting was totally uncalled for. The student body demanded stem action against the personnel. AMSU also appealed to all concerned not to carry out attacks on security personnel in crowded places.