4 dead in fresh Manipur clashes, state govt to consider new curbs

THE KILLINGS PROMPTED STATE GOVERNMENT TO ENFORCE NIGHT CURFEW STRICTLY IN MANIPUR. OFFICIALS WILL REVIEW AND TAKE A CALL ON CURFEW MEASURES

- Prawesh Lama

Four men were killed and five others sustained critical bullet injuries in Manipur's Thoubal district on Monday evening, officials said, prompting the state government to tighten curfew in the restive state where nearly 200 people lost their lives in ethnic violence last year.

Senior police officials confirmed the killings in Thoubal's Lilong area, but said they were yet to reach the spot at the time of filing this report. Local residents of Lilong also confirmed the firing and shared photos of the dead victims on the ground.

"One of the injured is reportedly critical. We received information that some of the attackers have been caught by locals but it is yet to be verified. Police are yet to reach the village because protesters have gathered there," said one official, requesting anonymity, Lilong is around 12km from state capital Imphal.

The killings prompted the state government to intensify the night curfew in Manipur.

Officials said top government officials will review and take a call on curfew measures during the day starting Tuesday.