IMPHAL, February 19: At least three persons including a restaurant owner sustained injuries when unidentified miscreants fired indiscriminately inside a restaurant at Khurai Ningombam Leikai under Lamlai Police Station, Imphal East.
The incident took place at Ningthibi Restaurant today around 11.15 am. The other two injured were visitors.
The restaurant owner has been identified as Laishram Romita Devi, 41 wife of L Senapati Singh of Khurai Angom Leikai while the two visitors have been identified as Yumnam Suraj Singh, 25 son of Y Muhindro Singh of Kongpal Chingangbam Leikai and Baby Guite, 14 daughter of Thangboi Guite from Churachandpur district but presently staying in a rented house near Sacred Heart School, Porompat.
She is reading in Class IX at Lamlong Higher Secondary School.
According to reports, Suraj who is a father, ferries school students on his van bearing registration number MN-05/A-7114. He suffered a bullet shot on his right face, which was fired from close range. He was admitted to JNIMS for treatment but later shifted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Shija Hospital after his condition worsened. The bullet is still stuck on his face.
In the attack, Baby Guite received a bullet shot on her right hand. She was rushed to JNIMS and is said to be out of danger.
The restaurant owner Romita is undergoing treatment in ICU of Rajmedicity in critical condition.
The reports said just after Suraj and Baby Guite entered the restaurant, three men came in a grey-colour Honda Activa scooter. One of them entered inside and fired at the couple leaving them badly injured.
Hearing the gunshot, Romita entered to intervene but the armed man fired three bullet shots at her.
Police have registered a case in connection with the incident and investigation is going on.
As stated by locals who were gathered at the incident site, the attempt of the unknown persons was to kill the van driver and restaurant owner and to serve a warning to the young girl student.