Killing spree continues; Seven more non-locals shot dead
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 18: Barely 24 hours after seven non-local men were shot dead by unidentified persons at Hayel in Imphal West District last night, seven more were gunned down at different parts of the State today even as two other victims have been hospitalised at RIMS here.

Bodies of the slain migrant workers on the pick up truck and the two lucky survivors

Police retrieved three bodies from an adjoining open spot of Takhel and Sanjenbam at around 11 am today.

The identities of the victims have not been able established till the time of filing this report.

Subsequently, police also retrieved two bullet riddled bodies, one each from Keibi Kumuda and Kangla Makha Leikai.

Another two migrant workers were also shot at Kakching Khunyai near Indrani Cinema Hall today at about 5 pm.

While one died on the spot the other passed away on the way to hospital.

The two who had opened a bakery shop were shot inside their rented room by the gunmen.

Their identities are yet to be ascertained at the time of filing this report at 9.10 pm today.

The victim of the Kangla Makha Leikai killing has been identified as Santosh Prasad (25) s/o Bhagouti of Gopalganj district of Bihar, and staying in a rented room at Majorkhul here at while the victim of the Keibi Kumuda killing has not been identified as yet.

According to one Sunil Prasad, who identified the body of Santosh Prasad, altogether four persons including Santosh, Tulsi Prasad, Suresh Prasad and another unknown labourer were picked by some persons from Khongnang Ani Karak in a mini Tata-407 this morning for the purpose of cement loading.

Among the four, Tulsi and the other unknown labourer managed to escape and returned to their respective places.

However, the whereabouts of Suresh is yet to be known.

Although the police have retrieved only one body from Keibi Kumuda, there were signs that more people may have been targeted as a large number of sandals were found scattered all over the place.

According to 40-year old Shiv Patel, who sustained injuries in the Keibi Kumuda incident and is currently undergoing treatment at RIMS, in all 13 of them were picked up by an unidentified motor cycle borne youth from Khoyathong turning at around 9 am today on the pretext of hiring them for RCC roofing.

At first they were taken in an autorickshaw and later in a truck towards an unknown destination.

Shiv Patel recounted that though if he does not know the exact place, they were taken along Saikul Road and the truck was stopped near a foothill where all of them were made to alight and stand together at a corner.

Then the unidentified armed persons who have brought them in the truck took away whatever amount of money in their possessed before opening fire at them indiscriminately.

Inspite of being hit by bullets, he and another labourer identified as Ram Preet (40) managed to escape from there and they were later brought to JN Hospital, Porompat by the Meira Paibis of the surrounding area from where they were referred to RIMS Hospital, Shiv Patel said.

On the other hand, out of two non-locals who were allegedly shot at by unidentified gunmen at Khunyai Leikai under Kakching Police Station at around 4.40 pm today, one succumbed to the bullet injuries while the other has been brought at RIMS Hospital for treatment.

Later in the evening today, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh visited the mortuary of RIMS Hospital where the bodies of the victims have been deposited as well as the injured victims being hospitalised.

The Chief Minister reportedly extended financial assistance of Rs 5000 each to the families of the injured.

Meanwhile, out of the seven victims of the yesterday's Hayel incident, five were identified today.

The five victims who have been identified were Pijur Das (25) s/o Rai Mohan Das of North Tripura District but staying at Kakching Wairi Senapati Leikai , Bikhari Rai (38) s/o Dipa Rai of Sewal district, Bihar but staying at Nagamapal Soram Leirak, Surjit Rai (28) s/o Thakur of East Champaran district of Bihar, Nageshware Saha (40) s/o late Bhagenlu of Kesharpur Bakhari village under Bhojpur district of Bihar and Narayan Prasad (40) s/o Shriniwas Prasad of Bihingya village of Kesharpur district, Bihar.

Pijur was working in a bakery while the other four are hawkers.

The bodies of Pijur and Bikhari have been taken away by their respective family members after post-mortem examination at RIMS mortuary today.