Manipur Violence: 3 mutilated bodies found after heavy gunfire

Imphal: In a recent round of violence after two weeks of relative peace in the strife-torn state Manipur, mutilated bodies of three youths were found following heavy gunfire on Friday, officials said.

The incident took place in the Kuki Thowai village of Ukhrul district when unidentified armed men entered the village and brutally killed three village volunteers, who were guarding the Kuki village from Meiteis attack.

According to the officials, the bodies of the youths aged between 24 and 35 years were found after police carried out a thorough search in the surrounding villages and forest areas.

Apart from gunshot wounds, the bodies bore injury marks apparently made using sharp knives, and their limbs were also chopped off.

Sounds of heavy gunfire were heard from the village which falls under Litan police station, early in the morning, they said.

The three victims have been identified as Hollenson Baite, Thangkhokai Haokip, and Jamkhogin Haokip.

More than 160 people have been killed and several hundred injured since ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3 when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Meiteis account for about 53 percent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 percent and reside mostly in the hill districts.

With inputs from agencies