Manipur news: Elderly woman, three others shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Churachandpur

Four people, including a 60-year-old woman, were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Monday, police said. 

According to a PTI report, the ambush took place near Mongjang village around 2 pm when the victims were travelling in a car. Preliminary reports suggested that they were shot from a point-blank range, another official in the Churachandpur district headquarters told PTI.

While no organisation has claimed responsibility for the attack, over 12 empty shells were recovered from the spot. The identities of the victims are yet to be confirmed, the report said, quoting the official. 

Drop in violence in Manipur, claim officials

Manipur has witnessed a significant decline in violence, with a sharp drop in civilian deaths and injuries and a marked increase in drug seizures since the imposition of President’s rule in February, officials said on Sunday.

Besides, Manipur Police, Assam Rifles and other paramilitary forces are also working tirelessly to recover thousands of weapons looted from police armouries following the outbreak of violence in May 2023, they said, as reported by news agency PTI. 

Despite the relative calm, challenges remain for the security forces to recover thousands of lost arms and addressing the activities of the banned valley-based terrorist groups involved in extortion and petty crimes, they added.

(This is a developing story. Please check back for updates)