Imphal, June 05: A top leader of the underground 'Kuki Liberation Army', involved in various kidnappings, was killed in a crossfire between militants and police in Manipur while he was being taken to Chaningpokpi, official sources said today. The self-styled 'chief of army' of KLA Paozangam Lupheng was involved in the kidnapping of German national Henrich Wolfgang, telecom DGM J Lumkim and son of former Chief Minister Rishang Keishing.
Lupheng was arrested on Tuesday last and was being taken to Chaningpokpi area when the police force, accompanying him, was fired upon by KLA militants and in the ensuing gunbattle he was killed, the sources said.
One AK47 rifle and several rounds of ammunition were recovered from the KLA camp at Chaningpokpi, the sources said, adding there was no casualty on the side of the police. The casualty on the side of the militants, who escaped during the encounter, was not known, they said.
The sources said Lupheng told the police during interrogation that the KLA militants were also involved in the attack on superintendent of police M Manglemjao Singh last year. The KLA militant also admitted to the police the underground outfit had earned about Rs 50 lakh from the kidnapping of several persons in Manipur in the past few months, the sources said. Bureau Report