Imphal: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh Sunday paid tributes to three villagers who were gunned down by suspected Kuki militants at Khoijumantabi village under Bishnupur district.
The three villagers – Haobam Ibomcha, 43, son of late H Kesho Singh, Ningombam Ibomcha Singh, 35, son of N Iboton Singh and Naorem Rajkumar Singh, 25, son of N Sanjoy Singh – all belonged to Khoijumantabi Maning Leikai.
They were killed at the Dampi Reserve Forest, which lies in between the Khoijuman Tabi and Borayangbi Leingang Ching at around 12.05 am by suspected Kuki militants that climbed up to the hill from a Hmar village that lies to the south of the Reserve forest hill.
After hearing the news, Biren Singh rushed to the spot, 69 km from here, in the morning amidst sporadic gunfire from both sides.Â
The Chief Minister also consoled the family members of the deceased villagers.
Later, the chief minister paid rich tributes to the martyrs and promised them that the state government would deploy state forces in the area to flush out the militants.
Reports said that one Kuki militant, identified as David Hmar, also died in the gun battle.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum has strongly condemned the violent incident.
