IMPHAL, 29 Jun: One person was killed and a few others were injured when ‘rioters’ opened firing without any provocation in Harao-thel village in Kangpokpi district of Manipur on Thursday morning, leading to tension in the area.
While the local Army unit tweeted that “unconfirmed reports” indicated some casualties in the incident, official sources said that one body was recovered from the area and a few others could be seen lying on the ground.
It was not immediately clear whether they were dead or injured as intermittent firing was still going on in the area, the official sources said.
Giving details, the official Twitter handle of the Army, operating in the region, said armed rioters opened unprovoked firing at 5:30 am.
“Own troops deployed in the area immediately mobilised to prevent escalation of situation. While en route to the site, own columns drew effective fire from armed rioters,” the official ‘Spear Corps’ handle of the Army said.
It said the troops “responded in a calibrated manner to prevent any collateral damage. Swift action by troops resulted in cessation of firing.
“Additional columns moved to the area. Unconfirmed reports indicate some casualties. Build-up of large crowds in the area also reported. Situation being closely monitored and further details will follow,” it said.
The area is located around 20 kms from capital Imphal. (PTI)
