Angry villagers in Manipur left the bodies of three people killed in a suspected militant attack outside the Chief Minister's office in Imphal on Monday, triggering a security response in which police fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.
The protesters attempted to march towards the Chief Minister's Office at Babupara after armed men allegedly opened fire on villagers collecting firewood near Hongman Sanurok in Kangpokpi district on Monday morning. The incident left three people dead and three others injured by bullets.
Security forces fired tear gas shells as protesters gathered with the bodies outside the Chief Minister's office, amid mounting anger over the attack and demands for swift action against those responsible.
THREE KILLED, THREE INJURED IN FIRING
The deceased were identified as Lairenlakpam Inaobi, 57, Arubam Ronin, 35, and Kshetrimayum Susil, 32. The injured were identified as Ngangom Suraj, 19, Meisnam Somendro, 53, and Khomdram Bosan, 45. They were taken to a private hospital in Imphal for treatment.
According to local sources, around 16 villagers had gone to collect firewood in a forest near Khongban Sunurok, also known as Khongbal in Meitei, close to Khamenlok, when armed men allegedly opened fire on them.
Inaobi and Ronin died at the spot, while Susil succumbed to his injuries while being taken to hospital, officials said.
Ngangom Darashing Meitei, the father of injured Suraj, told reporters that the assailants were allegedly wearing red ribbons and carrying sophisticated firearms. He said they were positioned behind a pile of cut firewood before opening fire on the villagers.
CONGRESS MLA DEMANDS ACTION WITHIN 24 HOURS
Local Congress MLA Th Lokeshwar said the villagers had gone to collect firewood after receiving assurances regarding their safety.
“If the government fails to nab the culprits within 24 hours, there is no need for such a government,” Lokeshwar told reporters, demanding swift action against those responsible for the killings.
The attack triggered protests, with villagers alleging that they remained vulnerable to attacks by armed Kuki groups despite the withdrawal of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF). These allegations have not been independently verified.
A road blockade was also reported at Khurai Lamlong in Imphal East district following the incident, as tensions escalated.
KHAMENLOK HAS WITNESSED REPEATED VIOLENCE
The Khamenlok area, located along the boundary between Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts, has witnessed repeated outbreaks of violence since ethnic clashes erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023.
In June 2023, an attack in the area left at least nine people dead and five others injured.
The latest incident has renewed security concerns in the state, where recurring violence has disrupted normal life and heightened tensions between communities.
Police investigation into Monday's attack is awaited.
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