Source: The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, June 14:
Three non-Manipuris were shot dead by unidentified persons today at Uyumpok area about 10 km north of Lamlai police station in Imphal East district.
Their bodies however could not be traced till late this evening despite efforts of the state police.
The bodies are suspected to have been thrown in the Iril River.
Local sources said the three non-Manipuri were shot dead by the unidentified gunmen following some interrogations after they were brought there.
But the motive behind the killing was not ascertained.
In the past week, seven non-Manipuris were shot dead at different parts of the state by suspected Muslim militants.
With today�s killing, the total number of non- Manipuris killed in the state in the course of two weeks rises to 10.Meanwhile, official sources said the three persons were suspected to have been killed in the wee hours today after they were brought there and their bodies thrown in the Iril River.
On receiving information about the killing, police forces led by DIG (range) LM Khoute and Imphal East SP rushed to the area and later conducted search for the bodies in cooperation with local residents.
The bodies of the three non-Manipuri could not be fund at the spot where they were suspected to have been shot dead.
Police and local people conducted search along the Iril River at Uyumpok, Waikhong and Leishangkhong areas till late this evening but in vain.
Apart from this, the police department authority has instructed all the concerned police stations whose jurisdiction covers the Iril River to take necessary measures to retrieve the bodies.
The Iril River is reportedly in spate due to haevy rain fall in the last few days.
Reliable sources said the three are suspected to be AjayKumar Sahni, 40, a betel vendor from Mahajan village, Motihari district in Bihar presently residing at Uripok, and two others Surendra shah, 27.