IMPHAL, October 8: Unidentified men shot dead a man, while two others including a month old infant were hit by stray bullets at Marei Village under Litan Police in Ukhrul district this morning around 7:15.
The deceased has been identified as M Mataimi Tangkhul, 40, son of M Jona Tangkhul of Murei Village. He was hit on his left hip and thigh. He succumbed on the way to the hospital due to excessive bleeding, sources said.
A reliable source informed that Mataimi was a former NSCN (IM) cadre who had joined another faction.
It is also learnt that he was summoned by the NSCN (IM) to return which he had neglected to comply.
According to his family, two man had come this morning on a red Honda Activa and entered inside their house.
The two asked Mataimi for a talk following which he tried to flee from there, but the two followed him shooting gunshots aimed at him. They shot around five rounds, the family said.
Family members also said that the two left the spot believing that Mataimi who fell down after being hit twice was dead.
Meanwhile, the two injured identified as Ningwola, 50, wife of Phanitphang Tangkhul and her infant grandson M Belerian were rushed to the JNIMS for treatment.
Ningwola was hit on her left stomach and had to be operated upon to take out the bullet. She is said to be recuperating at the JNIMS Female Surgery Ward.
On the other hand, the infant was hit by a bullet which passed through his left wrist.
According to family members, Ningwola was carrying her grandson while accompanying her daughter in law to get an injection at Yaingangpokpi Bazar. The daughter in law was feeling unwell.
Hearing some gunshots, Ningwola tried to look in the direction of the sound and got hit by the bullet, the family said.
Meanwhile, Mataimi`™s body has been handed over to family members after post mortem was conducted at the RIMS morgue.