Imphal, April 6: Three suspected militants were gunned down by Manipur police this morning at Kwakeithel in Imphal West district.

Families of Sapam Paka (25), Taorem Boba (25) and T. Paite (30) — all from Imphal West — said they were innocent civilians and had no truck with any rebel outfit. However, their relatives as well as unofficial sources said chances of their being drug addicts could not be ruled out.

The bodies were shifted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences here for post-mortem.

Police said the three youths riding a two-wheeler (Honda Activa) were asked to stop by a police patrol at Kwakeithel Bazaar around 10 am. When they sped away, the police team gave chase in a Maruti Gypsy and fired several rounds in the air.

“Even then they didn’t stop, which further stoked our suspicion,” a policeman, who was part of the team, said. As the Gypsy was nearing the two-wheeler, one of the youths hurled a hand grenade.

In retaliation, police opened fire and gunned down all of three boys. Another hand grenade was recovered from the slain youths, police claimed.

Denying the police version, relatives of the three youths said before leaving this morning the boys had said that they were going to the Manipur University campus.

Protesters blocked Imphal-Tiddim road near Imphal Airport today. The families of the youths have refused to accept the bodies. Accusing police of killing three innocent persons in “fake” encounter, they demanded action against police personnel involved in the killing.

In a separate development, the alleged militant killed by the Assam Rifles at Lilong Arapti in Imphal East district yesterday has been identified as Konsam Sanayaima alias Imocha of Nambol. The Assam Rifles recovered a 9 mm pistol with five rounds of ammunition from him. An extortion note of the Peoples’ Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak was also found on him.