Imphal: Three persons were killed on Tuesday when police opened fire on protesters in Manipur's Churachandpur district taking the overnight toll to eight as fresh violence erupted there, forcing the authorities to continue the indefinite curfew imposed last night.
The police said that they opened fire on a mob, which attacked Churachandpur police station, leaving three of the agitators dead. Two of the killed were in their 30s while another was 10 years old, police sources said.
Four persons were injured in the police firing, taking the total number of the injured to 31. They were admitted to Churachandpur district hospital this evening, a hospital source said. Five persons were killed during a general strike called by the tribal student organisations called a bandh yesterday protesting against the passage of three bills, Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh amendment) Bill, 2015, and Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 in the state assembly to protect the indigenous people.
The tribals feared that the passage of the laws would allow "outsiders" to have rights over tribal land. While three bullet-riddled bodies were found in Churachandpur town yesterday, a charred body was recovered from under the debris at the residence of Henglep MLA Manga Vaiphei this morning in the town, a police officer said, adding that another body was also found.
According to the police, the houses of MP of Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat Thangso Baite, Manipur Family Welfare Minister Phungzaphang Tonsimg, and that of five MLAs, including Manga Vaiphei and Vungzagin Valte of Thanlom, were set on fire in Churachandpur town during the bandh called by the students last evening.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday called up Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who briefed him about the prevailing situation in the northeastern state.
The Home Minister assured the Chief Minister of all central assistance to tackle the situation arising out of the violence that has so far killed five people and injured 27 others.
Five people were killed and 27 others injured in violence at Churachandpur town in Manipur during a 12-hour bandh called by tribal student organisations in protest against three bills passed by the Assembly.
Widespread arson was witnessed in Churachandpur district with the houses of a state minister, an MP and five MLAs being set on fire by unidentified people last evening, prompting authorities to impose indefinite curfew in Churachandpur town.
