Situation Calm but Tense in Lilong Chingjao, Toll Rises to 4 in Manipur Firing Incident
GG News Bureau
Imphal, 2nd Jan. The situation in the minority-dominated area of Lilong Chingjao in Manipur’s Thoubal district, where four villagers were shot by unidentified attackers, remained calm but tense on Tuesday. Additional security forces have been deployed to the area, according to an official.
The death toll in the incident has risen to four, with one more person succumbing to their injuries. Two critically injured individuals are currently receiving treatment in the ICU of a hospital in Imphal, the official added.
The attackers, wearing camouflage uniforms, arrived in Lilong Chingjao on Monday night with the intention of extorting money from someone. An altercation ensued when locals attempted to chase them away, resulting in indiscriminate gunfire and the casualties, the official explained.
Following the incident, tension was high on Monday night. However, an inter-faith meeting organized by civil society leaders, along with the assurance from Lilong MLA Abdul Nasir and Chief Minister N Biren Singh that the culprits would be apprehended and punished according to the law, helped defuse the situation, the official stated.
Additional security forces have been deployed in the area, and vehicular patrolling has been increased to prevent any further untoward incidents, the official confirmed.
Meanwhile, due to the prevailing law and order situation, a curfew has been imposed in five districts of Imphal Valley. As a result, few vehicles were seen on the roads, and most commercial establishments remained closed.
The bodies of the deceased have been taken to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal for post-mortem examination. They have been identified as Md Daulat (30), M Sirajuddin (50), Md Azad Khan (40), and Md Hussain (22), the official revealed.
Ten others were injured in the incident and are currently receiving treatment at another hospital in Imphal. Four of them sustained gunshot wounds, with two in the ICU and the other two under observation, according to the official.
After the attack, angry locals set fire to four vehicles that the attackers had arrived in. It is unclear who the vehicles belong to.
In a video message, CM Singh condemned the violence and appealed to the people, especially the residents of Lilong, to maintain peace. He assured that the police are working to apprehend the perpetrators, who will be punished in accordance with the law.
Local MLA Abdul Nasir has been briefed on the situation by the relevant officials and expressed confidence that the culprits will be apprehended soon.
