Three people were killed on Tuesday when police opened fire on protesters in Churachandpur district in the north-eastern Indian state of Manipur, taking the overnight toll to eight as fresh violence erupted there, forcing the authorities to continue the indefinite curfew imposed last night.
The police said they opened fire on a mob which attacked Churachandpur police station, leaving three of the agitators dead. Two of the killed were in their <g data-gr-id="27">30s,</g> while another was 10-year-old, police
sources said.
Four people were injured in the police firing, taking the total number of the injured to 31. They were admitted to Churachandpur district hospital, a source said.
Five people were killed during a general strike called by the tribal student organisations on Monday protesting against the passage of three Bills - Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh amendment) Bill, 2015 and Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 - in the state assembly to protect the indigenous people.
The tribals feared that the passage of the laws would allow “outsiders” to have rights over tribal land.
While three bullet-riddled bodies were found in Churachandpur town on Tuesday, a charred body was recovered from under the debris at the residence of Henglep MLA Manga Vaiphei this morning in the town, a police officer said, adding that another body was also recovered.
According to the police, the houses of MP of Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat Thangso Baite, Manipur Family Welfare Minister Phungzaphang <g data-gr-id="29">Tonsimg</g>, and that of five MLAs, including Manga Vaiphei and Vungzagin <g data-gr-id="30">Valte</g> of Thanlom, were set on fire in Churachandpur town during the bandh called by the students last evening.