Four people died and 14 others were injured in fresh violence in Manipur on the first day of the New Year in the state's Thoubal district on Monday. This led to unrest in the region forcing the administration of all five Valley districts -- Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West, Kakching and Bishnupur, to cancel the relaxation of curfew. The authorities have now reimposed the prohibitory orders to prevent the escalation of violence, reported news agency IANS.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has appealed for peace in the state and urged people not to take law into their hands and cooperate with the authorities. In a video message, reported PTI, the CM condemned the attack and assured that the perpetrators would be apprehended soon.
"Police are working to arrest those behind the attack. They will be arrested soon and punished as per the law," he said, quoted the news agency.
According to police, the incident occurred at Lilong Chingjao, where armed attackers opened fire at people following a quarrel over the forcible collections from the people. IANS cited reports saying that attackers were wearing police uniforms and armed with sophisticated weapons. They had come in four vehicles, opened fire on people, and were said to be mostly Muslims, the report further said.
An official told PTI that the attackers had come “to extort money” from a person in the locality, which led to a brawl. Locals later chased away the men who “opened fire while fleeing”, the official added.
Three people died on the spot and another person succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital. Many of those injured are said to be critical and shifted to hospitals. As of now, there is no update on the details and identity of the killers.
The assailants' two vehicles were put on fire by an angry mob as high tension followed the incident. Meanwhile, to contain the situation, additional Central and state forces have also rushed to Thoubal district and adjoining areas where retaliatory attack could occur. Reports of tensions are also coming from the state capital Imphal following the fresh incident of violence.
Lilong constituency MLA Abdul Nasir also said officials concerned have apprised him of the situation, and that the culprits will be nabbed soon.