Imphal, January 17: Unidentified gunmen shot dead three persons at Wangkhei Angom Leikai under Porompat Police Station at around 9.35 am today.

Two of the victims identified as Nameirakpam Somorjit (30) s/o Kunjabihari of Heirangoithong Maibam Leikai but staying at New Chekcon and Laishram Ibosana (35) s/o Ibohal of Nambol Kha Sanjenbam died at the spot while the third victim Ningthoujam Bijoy (55) s/o Tomba of Kha Sanjenbam succumbed to his injuries at about 3.40 pm at JN Hospital.

According to information received here, the three came to Selvia Car Point, a workshop at Wangkhei Angom Leikai to to repair the AC of a Scorpio (MN06L/8397) belonging to Ibosana who is said to be the founder of Diamond Academy English School located at Kha Sanjenbam.

After the repairing work was completed at around 9.35 am, N Somorjit and L Ibosana were boarding the car when three unidentified gunmen walked in and opened fire at them directly.

At that time, N Bijoy was standing outside the car and he tried to flee.

But the gunmen chased him and shot him before taking to their heels.

N Somorjit and L Ibosana died inside the car.

There were four fatal bullet marks on the left shoulder, near the armpit, left side stomach and thigh of Somorjit while a bullet that was shot from the right side of the neck of Ibosana exited near his mouth.

N Bijoy was rushed to JN Hospital with injuries on left side of his chest and hand for treatment, but he succumbed to his injuries at around 3.40 pm today.

According to reports, Bijoy was engaged in contract works after retiring from 6 MR as a Rifleman.

He was also said to be the president of Social Welfare Club, Kha-Sanjenbam.

Meanwhile, a meeting of of the people of Kha Sanjenbam area held with Laishram Gandha Singh later during the day has strongly condemned the killing of Laishram Ibosana, the founder of Diamond Academy English School and social worker Ningthoujam Bijoy Singh, who was also the president of Social Welfare Club, Kha Sanjenbam.

Claiming that the two deceased persons were innocent, a JAC Against the Brutal Killing of L Ibosana (Founder Diamond Academy) and N Bijoy Sigh (Social Worker) has been constituted during the meeting with Laishram Sorojini Devi as president, Naorem Tomba Singh as vice president.

Ningthoujam Ojit Singh as secretary, Laishram Tomba Singh as convenor and Laishram Chaoba Singh as member.

After a serious deliberation on the issue, the meeting adopted various resolutions.

The resolutions include identification and arrest of the killers by the Government at the soonest possible, not to take back the bodies until the Government book the killers, payment of Rs 5 lakhs each as ex-gratia to the bereaved families of Ibosana and Bijoy along with providing suitable Government jobs to the next of kins of the victims.

Demanding an explanation from all concerned on the killing, the meeting also strongly denounced any attempt to level false charges after killing innocent people and appealed to all concerned to restrain from doing so.

A memorandum in this connection has also been submitted to the Chief Minister.

While coming to submit the memorandum, the protestors were at first prevented by the security personnel to come near the Chief Minister's bungalow.

However, some of them were later allowed to submit the memorandum.

Grenade attack: Unidentified persons allegedly lobbed a hand grenade inside the compound of the Commandant of 26 BRTF located at Lamphelpat.

The grenade was detected at around 6 AM today.

The bomb experts of the Police retrieved the explosive and successfully detonated it at Langol at around 8.30 am.