Four people were shot dead by unknown assailants on Monday afternoon amid continued unrest in Manipur. The attack took place near Mongjang village in Churachandpur while the victims were travelling in by car. Additional security forces have since been rushed to the area while the militant United Kuki National Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack.
Officials in the area cited preliminary reports to indicate that the victims had been shot at a point-blank range. The deceased were identified as Thenkhothang Haokip alias Thahpi (48), Seikhogin (34), Lengouhao (35) and Phalhing (72). More than 12 empty bullet shells were also recovered from the spot.
The incident came even as officials insisted on Sunday that the north-eastern state had seen a significant decline in violence, with a sharp drop in civilian deaths and injuries and a marked increase in drug seizures since the imposition of President’s rule in February.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Akoijam Bimol Angomcha accused the state of “establishing and nurturing an imaginary and unconstitutional line — the so-called ‘buffer zone’ — in support of communal forces”. The remarks came after the Inner Manipur lawmaker was prevented from visiting a village located in the periphery of Imphal Valley by central forces.