Rifleman among 3 killed in firing over cleaning

Manipur. Three people, including a Manipur Rifles personnel on duty, were killed in a shootout between two groups over cleaning of a plot in Ukhrul town on Wednesday under the ‘Swachhata Abhiyan’. Officials gave this information. Prohibitory orders were imposed after the clash and mobile internet services were suspended in the town for a day. Five others were also injured in the clash.

Officials said both the sides belong to the Naga community but are from different villages and both claim their rights over the land. Additional security forces are being sent to the district to bring the situation under control. After the clash started, the people involved fired several bullets, killing three people and injuring five others.

The deceased have been identified as Warinmi Thumra, Riliwung Hongre and Silas Jingkhai. Officials said Thumra was a jawan of the Manipur Rifles, a force under the state government, and had gone there to maintain law and order. Two seriously injured persons have been referred to a hospital in Imphal while others are being treated at the district hospital in Ukhrul. Following the violence, three Tangkhul Naga MLAs appealed to the villagers to maintain peace and resolve the issue amicably through dialogue.