Two UG suspects slain in encounter

Two suspected UG cadres have been slain in a reported encounter with troops of 31 Assam Rifles operating under 26 Sector near Moreh in the wee hours at about 1.45 am today. It is suspected that the two UG cadres slain in the encounter that took place at Old H Mongjang village located about 9 kms North East of Moreh police station might be brothers.According to the PRO of Hqs IG AR (South), the 31 AR troops, acting on specific information about movement of UNLF cadres in the area, laid multiple ambushes there. At about 1.45 am, the troops observed two persons moving in a suspicious manner from the direction of Kwatha towards Khudengthabi and one of them was spotted with a weapon. On being challenged, they opened fire towards the troops who retaliated immediately. Two suspected UG cadres were killed in the ensuing gun fight, the PRO conveyed. One AK 47 rifle with one magazine containing 10 live rounds, one Chinese made hand grenade and a radio set were recovered from the two slain UG suspects.According to another source, the two slain individuals might be Letkhanhao Vaiphei (29) s/o late Paoneithang of Moreh ward no 3 and his younger brother Khupthenkham Vaiphei (25).Corpses of the two individuals whose identities are yet to be confirmed officially have been brought to RIMS mortuary by Moreh police today. One killed, 30 hurt : A woman passenger has been killed and 30 others injured when a bus in which they were travelling fell down a steep hill side at Makhan Khullen in Senapati district, reports our Senapati correspondent. The deceased has been identified as Athishi (40) of Chawanamei Khullen.The ill-fated bus was moving from Senapati to Maopungdong before the tragic accident occurred at about 4 pm. The injured victims are undergoing treatment in Maram Primary Health Centre. Conditions of some of the victims are reported to be serious.The bus was plying along Senapati-Maopungdong route. Most of the time, buses plying along the route are overcrowded. It is reported that mechanical snag might be the cause of the accident.