The Manipur government on Monday re-imposed curfew in the Thoubal and Imphal West districts after four civilians were shot dead and a few others were injured in a fresh bout of violence in the northeastern state.
Gunmen, who are yet to be identified, arrived in camouflage dresses in the Lilong Chingjao area, and opened fire on a few locals, officials said, PTI reported.
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The attackers had come “to extort money” from a person in the locality, which led to an altercation, an official said. They were later chased away by the locals, but the miscreants “opened fire while fleeing”, he said.
After the attack, the enraged locals set fire to four vehicles in which the attackers had arrived. It was not immediately clear to whom those belong.
Following the fresh violence, curfew was reimposed in Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West, Kakching and Bishnupur districts.
In a video message, Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the violence, and appealed to people, particularly the residents of Lilong, to maintain peace.
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“Police are working to arrest those behind the attack. They will be arrested soon and punished as per the law,” he said.
Singh also held an urgent meeting of all ministers and ruling party MLAs.
Lilong constituency MLA Abdul Nasir said officials concerned have apprised him of the situation, and that the culprits will be nabbed soon, PTI reported.
More than 180 people have been killed and several hundred injured since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur in May last year.
(With inputs from PTI)