Imphal, March 17: At least seven men, closely resembling non-local looks, were found shot to death on the eastern side of Mayai Lambi located about 100 metres from Hayel village under Mayang Imphal police station today evening.

All the seven deceased were found done to death with their hands tied behind their backs.

As soon as reports about the killing of the seven persons reached the office of The Sangai Express this reporter rushed to the spot for a first hand account of the incident.

Interacting with the media, the local people said that they heard the loud reports of gun fire today at about 6.10 pm.

The matter came to light when some passers by came across the lifeless bodies and raised an alarm.

The identities of the deceased persons are yet to be ascertained and when this reporter left the spot of the incident at about 9 pm, no police personnel had come to collect the bodies.

At the time of filing this report today at about 11 pm, the bodies were reportedly still lying at the spot where they were found.

All the victims were found attired in civvies.

One found shot to death: Unidentified gunmen shot to death an unidentified person today at about Komlakhong under Mayang Imphal police station.

The body is yet to be retrieved, said sources.

Bodies claimed: The mortal remains of Rifleman of the Assam Rifles Md Hadish who died in the attack launched by MPA cadres of the UNLF at the AR camp at T Minnou village on March 15 has been handed over to the appropriate authorities of the security force today after post mortem at RIMS morgue.

Similarly, the body of Holkhothang Mate who was killed in the cross fire during the same encounter has also been handed over to family members after post mortem.

Handed over to IMC: The bodies of the three persons killed in a reported encounter by the 1 Assam Rifles on March 12 at Khoibai Lamkhai in Ukhrul district will be handed over to the Imphal Municipal Council for disposal after post mortem since no one has come forward to claim the bodies, said sources.