Militant leader shot dead in Manipur

Rival faction's hand involved, says police

A top militant leader of Manipur Naga Revolutionary Front (MNRF) was shot dead by suspected rival faction in Manipur's interior Ukhrul district, the police said today.

The body of 'advisor' of MNRF identified as Johnson Kasung (55) was found at Tolen Lamkhai area in the district with two bullet wounds this morning, sources said.

Sources said some unidentified gunmen, suspected to be Naga militants, had kidnapped Kasung from Tangkhul Nagalong office area at Ukhrul district headquarters on September 13.

The police have been on the lookout of his abductors, sources said adding that his body was found today at around 6 AM.

The body has been sent to district hospital for post-mortem, sources said adding no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the crime.

MNRF which was formed by some militants about two years ago was opposed to those persons who wanted to break up Manipur to form smaller states along the ethnic lines, official sources said.