Imphal: At least four people were shot dead by security personnel deployed in Churachandpur district Friday night. According to sources, out of the 4, two are women and the other two men.
The incident reportedly took place outside DC complex when security forces were attempting to move Meitei/Meetei community living in the predominantly Kuki tribals dominated district outside the town.
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The Indian Express reports that unrest in Churachandpur town began around 7 pm Friday.
“Because of the deployment of security personnel, people are not moving out of their homes. Around 7 pm, we got information that Meitei people stranded in the town are going to be evacuated by security personnel. The people (opposed to this evacuation) gathered at the town’s main road, Tidim Road to barricade it. We put women at the front of the barricade because we thought that they would not be fired at. But the security opened fire and four people died,” The Indian Express quoted Muan Hansingh (24), a researcher and resident of Churachandpur as saying.
Meanwhile, a Meitei driver coming from Nagaland’s Dimapur to Manipur went missing near Sapormeina Police Station under Kangpokpi district. The missing person is identified as 45-year-old, Laishram Sunil Singh alias Nanao, son of L. Boyai, from Laipham Khunou Mayai Leikai, Imphal East District, currently residing at Pheidingga.
According to family members, Sunil was coming along with 3 non-local masons from Dimapur in a Scorpio vehicle (MN3P-7609), when he was offered help for safety by some local youths near the Police Station on May 3, the day the ethnic violence erupted after the “Tribal Solidarity March”.
While the family filed a missing report at Lamphel Police Station, they said that Sunil was in touch with the family until Friday 6 am.
On the other hand, regarding the Suspension of Operation (SoO) cadres taking part in the “Tribal Solidarity March” organised under the aegis of All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur across the hill districts on May 3, DGP P Doungel on Friday said investigation is underway.
The Manipur DGP also demanded people involved in snatching of arms and ammunitions from vulnerable police stations during the violence outbreak in certains parts of the State to return the weapons in two days, warning strict action against those involved.
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