Our Correspondent
Imphal | March 10
Police today found a man shot in the chest by unknown armed assailants inside his vehicle close to Pallel Police Station in Thoubal district of Manipur.
The police sent him to a private hospital at Kakching from where he was referred to Shija Hospitals, Langol here. He is now in critical condition at the private clinic. The attack happened around 8am, police reports said, adding the assailants shot multiple bullets to kill him but only one bullet hit on his left chest.
Ln Rengneisiak Aimol, 35, resident of Kombirei village in Chandel district, had a major operation at the hospital after the attack carried out by some three-four motorcycle-borne men but his condition remains critical.
Aimol was sitting alone inside his four-wheeler which was parked at the site when the incident occurred. The assailants fled the area after the attack.
Pallel police called in additional forces and cordoned off the area and carried out a massive hunt for the attackers. The police could not make any arrests. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.
Shop owners of Pallel bazar protested against the firing incident suspending all activities for the day. Besides, demonstrations were staged against the incident by a large number of members from several Pallel-based social organisations.
Pallel is located on the fringe of Chandel district.
Tension simmered in Aimol Satu and Molnom village in the border district of Chandel for days after a school teacher belonging to Aimol community was beaten to death by suspected militants on February 19 this year.
It is alleged that cadres of the NSCN (IM) were involved in the killing of the assistant teacher of Molnom Junior High School. However, the NSCN (IM) has subsequently denied any involvement in the killing.
Four gun-runners arrested
Meanwhile, troops of Assam Rifles posted at Behang in Churachandpur district held four gun-runners around 12:30pm yesterday.
The illegal arms dealers were travelling in a mini truck when the personnel of 26 Assam Rifles, who were conducting frisking and checking in front of their post, seized one M4 carbine and one magazine of 5.56mm gun from their possession, sources informed.
They have been handed to Singhat Police Station along with the seized arms.
