A 52-year-old man was shot dead and his 53-year-old wife was seriously injured after unidentified persons stormed their home in Manipur’s Imphal East district early on Monday, police said.
The incident took place around 2.30 am, when some unidentified miscreants entered a residential house at Kerau Wangkim Mamang Likai in Imphal East and attacked the couple using firearms and a sharp weapon, police said.
The police identified the deceased as Ngangkham Thambo and his injured wife as Ngangkham Ongbe Kinatumbi.
The accused fled after the attack. Kinatumbi was rushed to Shiga Hospital in Imphal West for treatment. She was later referred to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).
“Kinatombi sustained injuries to the back of her neck, which are suspected to have been caused by a sharp object. Her condition remains critical but she is out of danger,” the hospital authority told HT.
The police registered a case at Erlbong police station in Imphal East under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act and the Arms Act.
Police said that an investigation is underway to arrest the accused. “During immediate investigation, an empty 9mm bullet casing was found at the site,” a police officer said.
Hoedrum Bruggen, Chairman of the Joint Action Committee, which was formed in connection with the incident, said two unidentified miscreants broke into the main door of Thambu’s residence.
He added: “They entered Thambo’s son’s room, and a confrontation took place between them. Then one of the miscreants shot Thambo at close range and attacked Kinatumbi on the neck with a sharp object. They both fled the scene immediately.”
He added: “Thembu is a worker and a daily wage earner, and the reason for his killing by these miscreants is still puzzling. Before the incident, the electricity transformer in the locality was cut off by some unknown miscreants. The incident could be a premeditated murder.”
JAC also urged the government and relevant authorities to book the perpetrators by July 22. Until then, JAC and the victim’s family will not accept the body.
