Imphal: Four persons, including a 72 years old woman, were killed in by unidentified gunmen in Churachandpur district of Manipur on Monday afternoon.
A vehicle was ambushed by armed miscreants at K. Mongjang village at around 2 pm, said police. In the incident three persons in the vehicle died at the spot, it added.
One among them was the deputy commander-in-chief of KNO/KNA Thenkhothang (Thapi) Haokip, 48, said sources.
A woman passerby was caught in the incident and later succumbed to her injuries, said police.
She was identified as Phalhing, 72. The two others were identified as Seikhogin, 34, and Lengouhao, 35. All belonged to Churachandpur.
Police recovered several empty 5.56 mm ammunition casings (around 15) from the spot. Several bullet-hit marks were found on the car.
“The incident appears to have occurred between armed groups, but the identities of those involved are yet to be confirmed. Police are investigating the matter,” said a senior police officer.
The Kuki National Organisation (KNO) and its armed wing, the Kuki National Army (KNA), are militant groups operating in Northeast India and Myanmar. The KNO/KNA aims to unite Kuki-inhabited areas under a single administrative unit.
Meanwhile, the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) has claimed responsibility for the attack.
A statement, issued by the group’s information and publicity wing, said “Thahpi and his associates were ‘punished’ by the UKNA. Thahpi had previously killed UKNA PRO Satkhohao, another youth named Tamin Hunter, and approximately 30 others.”
