Four villagers in Manipur's Thoubal district fell victim to unidentified assailants, leading to a calm but tense situation in the minority-dominated Lilong Chingjao area, as additional security forces were deployed, reported an official on Tuesday.
The toll in the incident increased to four after one more person succumbed to injuries, while two other critically injured persons were undergoing treatment at the ICU of an Imphal-based hospital, he said.
How did the incident take place?
Unidentified gunmen in camouflage uniforms descended on Lilong Chingjao to "extort money" from a person on Monday night, leading to an altercation. While they were being chased away by locals, the gunmen opened indiscriminate fire leading to the casualties, he said.
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"After the incident, tension was high on Monday night, but holding an inter-faith meeting by civil society leaders and Lilong MLA Abdul Nasir and Chief Minister N Biren Singh's assurance that the culprits will be arrested and punished as per the law defused the situation," the official said.
Additional security forces have been deployed in the area, and vehicular patrolling has been increased to prevent any untoward incident, he said.
Meanwhile, with curfew being imposed in five districts of Imphal Valley in view of the "prevailing law and order situation," few vehicles were seen plying roads as most commercial establishments remained closed.
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The deceased, whose bodies were brought to Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal for post-mortem examination, were identified as Md Daulat (30), M Sirajuddin (50), Md Azad Khan (40), and Md Hussain (22), the official said.
Ten others were injured in the incident and are currently undergoing treatment at another hospital in Imphal. Four of them received gunshot wounds, and of the four, two are in ICU while two others are under observation of doctors, he said.
After the attack, enraged locals set fire to four vehicles in which the attackers had arrived. It was not immediately clear to whom those belong.
Following the violence, a curfew was imposed in Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West, Kakching, and Bishnupur districts.
What did the administration say?
In a video message, CM Singh condemned the violence and appealed to people, particularly the residents of Lilong, to maintain peace.
Reportedly Singh said, "I express my immense sadness over the killing of innocent people. We have mobilised police teams to catch the culprits. I fold my hands and appeal to the residents of Lilong (where the incident happened) to help the government in finding the culprits. I promise that the government will do everything in its power to give justice under the law."
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Local MLA Abdul Nasir said officials concerned have apprised him of the situation, and that the culprits will be nabbed soon.
