4 shot dead in Manipur’s valley district, curfew imposed

Similarly, curfew was reimposed in Thoubal, Imphal East, Kakching and Bishnupur districts.

While details about the incident were sparse, Chief Minister N Biren Singh, in a video statement, assured that the culprits would be tracked down. “We do not take this incident lightly. Manipur police have been pressed into action to nab the culprits. I appeal to the people, particularly from Lilong, to refrain from resorting to any form of violence. I assure you we will take stringent actions against the culprits as per law. Please cooperate with the government,” he said.

PTI quoted officials as saying that gunmen, who are yet to be identified, arrived wearing camouflage and opened fire, targeting locals. Five people were also injured and are hospitalised.

After the attack, enraged locals set some vehicles on fire.

Days earlier, on Saturday night, three commandos of Manipur Police were injured in a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack at one of their posts in the border town of Moreh. Suspected militants are believed to be behind the attack, officials said.

More than 180 people have been killed and several hundred injured since ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities broke out in Manipur on May 3.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals — Nagas and Kukis — constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts