Fake encounter allegation in Manipur

Imphal, Sep 10 (ANI): The Okaram Ibobi Singh led Manipur Government is facing caught a controversy over the killing of six suspected militants by security forces.

Six persons were killed in an encounter with security forces on Tuesday near Awang Khunou village in Imphal West district.

Two terror suspects were on a motorcycle and four others in a vehicle during the exchange of fire with security forces.

The family members of those killed in the encounter and the human rights activists alleged that it was a "fake encounter" and claimed all the six youths were innocent civilians.

According to Manipur Police, a gunfight took place after the two motorcycle-borne youth and the four people in a Tata Sumo refused to stop when asked to do so by a security patrol on the highway.

"The motorcycle borne youths and the four in the Tata Sumo opened fire at the security personnel and in retaliatory attacks the six people were killed," said L. Kailun Senior Superintendent of Police (Imphal West).

The family members identified four of the six killed. According to them --two persons were selling mobile phone recharge vouchers, third was a rickshaw puller and the fourth a driver.

Choba Devi mother of a youth who was on the motorcycle claimed that her son along with his business partner goes to collect money from their customers after selling mobile recharge vouchers and they had no connection with terror outfits.

The human rights activists are organizing the sit in demonstrations to demand a judicial inquiry into the incident.

The state is in turmoil since July 23 following an alleged fake encounter during which a 27-year-old Chongkham Sanjit and a pregnant woman were killed in Imphal. (ANI)