A 31-year-old man died during treatment on Wednesday, a day after he was wounded when security forces opened fire on people protesting the killing of two brothers from Meite on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to three.
Wangengbam Bobby, from Bishnupur district, was undergoing treatment at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal. An officer said he was shot in the torso.
A suspected rocket attack killed a five-year-old boy and his six-month-old sister in Bishnupur’s Trunglupi in the early hours of Tuesday. Afterwards, people protested against the killings, stormed a CRPF camp, vandalized it, and set vehicles on fire. Security forces allegedly opened fire on them.
State Home Minister Govindas Kunthugam said on Tuesday that two people were killed and at least 31 injured when CRPF personnel subdued the mob.
The renewed violence also prompted authorities to suspend internet and mobile data services in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoupal, Kakching and Bishnupur.
Prime Minister N Biren Singh condemned the Tronglupi attack and assured that the government will pursue the perpetrators and bring justice at the earliest. He said the investigation into the attack would be handed over to the National Investigation Agency.
“Three members of the United Kuki National Army were arrested with one AK-47 rifle and one pistol,” Khongpantapam Ibomcha, spokesperson of the BJP in Manipur, said on Wednesday. He added that the arrests were made during a military repression operation conducted in connection with the Trongelopi incident.
The Kuki United National Army (UKNA) denied involvement in the Tronglobe attack. “Ukrainian News Agency reiterates that its goal remains to seek a just and honorable political solution within the framework of the Constitution of India. The organization does not condone or participate in acts of violence against innocent civilians, especially children, under any circumstances,” a statement said.
The statement also refuted allegations that three of its members were arrested in connection with the incident. “These allegations are baseless and completely false,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Manipur government on Wednesday conditionally lifted the temporary suspension of internet data for broadband services (ILL and FTTH).
The government order said, “The state government has reviewed the prevailing situation along with the harassment/agonies of the general public, where the internet ban has affected the functioning of important offices/institutions, high courts, district courts, group of people working from home, firms of chartered accountants, lawyers, health facilities, fueling centres, electricity recharging, mobile phone services, LPG booking, educational institutions, tax related offices, and other internet based services. Citizen centric services, etc. That.”
