Militants overrun security camp in Manipur, loot nine guns

In a surprise attack, a large group of tribal militants overran a paramilitary camp in Manipur's Noney district and fled with nine assorted automatic guns, official sources said.

The incident occurred around 11.30 a.m in the camp manned by personnel of India Reserve Battalion and Manipur Rifles at Nungkao in the newly-carved out district. The camp, located about 10 km away from the national highway, houses security forces protecting personnel of the Bharatiya Infos Pvt Ltd undertaking tunnelling for rail lines there.

"About 70 militants raided the camp. They were in combat fatigue and carried highly sophisticated weapons," an official said. The militants also opened fire before decamping but there were no casualties.

Reinforcements had been despatched to the area while officials at the spot said that they are making inventory of the arms and ammunition lost. They later announced that the militants had made away with four self-loading rifles, four INSAS rifles and an AK 47 rifle and some assorted ammunition.

Earlier reports said that the militants had fled with almost 20 weapons.

Meanwhile, in Imphal, two Manipur Rifles personnel opened fire at the women who were blocking the Tiddim road but fortunately no casualties were reported.

The incident took place during the 24-hour general strike called by womenfolk to protest killings of three policemen and attacks on security personnel.

"The personnel are the house guards of Congress MLA Phungzathang Tonsing. After opening fire, they rushed inside the residence of the MLA," a women protestor said.

However, police reached the spot and brought them out. The two were allowed to go after they tendered an unqualified apology to the protestors.

--IANS

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