Slain ‘UG suspect’ turns out to be ex-MLA’s security guard, Dead man was KNA’s go-between, say police; KSO calls bandh

IMPHAL, Oct 25: In an intriguing development, the man slain in an encounter with Imphal west police commandos yesterday evening at Mahabali Kabui Khul has turned out to be a Manipur Rifles personnel, deployed as security guard for former MLA Chungkhokai Doungel.

The police has however said the deceased was apparently acting on behalf of the Kuki National Army, KNA and had come to the spot yesterday evening to collect extortion money from employees of the state PHE department.

On the other hand, the killing was quickly denounced as an extra-judicial execution by the Kuki Students Organisation, which has also called a 24-hour bandh Friday in protest.

The deceased was identified today as Tongthang Haokip, 40, a resident of Songel village, Churachandpur, a rifleman of the 1st bn Manipur Rifles, who is posted as security guard for ex-MLA C Doungel at the latter’s house at New Checkon.

Tongthang’s companion, who escaped after the encounter yesterday, has also turned out to be a MR man, identified as Thongkholun Haokip, 37, of Matejang, Churachandpur a driver of the 2nd MR. Thongkholun is still missing at this time.

Giving details of yesterday’s incident, the SP, Imphal east, Kailun, in a statement issued to the media, stated that yesterday at around 4 pm, a frisking party of the Imphal east police found one Laikhuram Sanatomba, 54, LDC, holding charge as accountant, PHED, Chandel division, and Pukhrumabam Nandakumar, 53, driver, carrying Rs. 4.5 lakhs in a Maruti car.

Upon verification, they disclosed that the moeny was to be paid to the KNA as a part payment out of Rs 20 lakhs demanded as extortion money from the EE/PHED, Chandel division. They also revealed that earlier in the day, they had paid Rs 3 lakhs to one of the cadres of the KNA and the same would be coming on a motor cycle at Mahabali area to collect the second instalment.

The statement said that on the strength of their information, two teams of the Imphal east commandos stationed themselves at Mahabali area with the aim of apprehending the cadres. At around 6:10 pm, two unknown youths came from Sanjenthong bridge riding on a motorcycle bearing registration no. MN06S7910. They were immediately challenged by the commando party to stop, but the pillion rider pulled out a small arm and fired at the police party.

The police also retaliated and the pillion rider sustained bullet injuries, while the rider escaped by running into the water of the river. The police party pursued but he managed to escape, the statement said.

It said the pillion rider was found to have succumbed to his injuries, while one 9 mm pistol loaded with two live rounds were found on him. They were seized formally in the presence of witnesses.

The statement further stated that the deceased pillion rider was shown to Laikhuram Sanatombi, and he confirmed that the deceased was the same KNA cadre who had taken Rs. 3 lakhs earlier in the day.

The statement also said Laikhuram Sanatombi, and P Nandakumar were formally arrested and Rs. 4.5 lakhs meant for payment to the KNA formally seized from Sanatombi’s possession, along with the Maruti car they had come in and a mobile phone.

In the meantime, Ex-MLA C Doungel visited the RIMS morgue this morning to identify the dead body.

Speaking to mediapersons, he disclosed that Tongthang Haokip was his security guard, and had left his home yesterday evening at around 5 pm along with his friend, who is a personnel of the 2nd MR.

The family of the deceased also said he was a very simple man, and had been on the escort detail of several state VIPs, and had spent three years as part of escort party of the chief minister himself. They also disclosed that he had been deployed as security for C Doungel for the past three weeks.

In the meantime, the KSO, general headquarters has strongly condemned the killing of Tongthang Haokip by the Imphal east police commandos, terming the incident as a extra-judicial killing.

Apart from demanding a judicial inquiry to investigate the killing and punish the guilty, as well as various benefits to the next of kin, the KSO in a memorandum submitted to the chief minister demanded the production of the missing Thenkholun Haokip by midnight tonight, failing which a 24 hour bandh will be imposed from 1 am tomorrow.

A spokesperson of the KSO however said social and religious festivities, particularly the Mera Houchongba celebrations will be exempted from the purview of the bandh.

Source: The Imphal Free Press