Soldier's kin among 4 abducted in Manipur; 7 injured in firing

Four people, including three relatives of a serving army soldier, were abducted allegedly by Meitei militants in Imphal West district on Tuesday, stoking fresh violence in ethnic strife-torn Manipur, people familiar with the matter said.

- Prawesh Lama and Utpal Parashar

As news of the abduction spread, armed Kuki militants fired bullets towards a group of people in Kangchup area along Imphal West and Kangpokpi districts, resulting in injuries to seven people, including two policemen and a woman.

Earlier, a 65-year-old man, who was travelling with the four people - two men and two women - abducted by militants, was rescued by the security forces. Until late on Tuesday night, the four were yet to be traced, police said.