Odisha man shot in Manipur, critical

Imphal: A 34-year-old man from Odisha was critically injured when two men shot at him here, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said on Thursday.

Abbas Malik is fighting for his life in a private hospital, Biren Singh, also in charge of Home, told the assembly.

He said that Malik was staying in a rented house near the Nityainanda temple in Imphal. The house owner has been identified as Irengbam Biramangol.

On Wednesday night, two unidentified youths brandishing handguns barged into the house and opened fire at Malik from close range.

Malik was rushed to the hospital where his condition is said to be “critical”.

A case has been registered and police have rounded up five suspects who are being interrogated, Biren Singh said, adding the police do not know the identity or motive of the gunmen.

Attacks on non-locals by armed men is not new in Manipur. Police said that such incidents have been reported over the last three decades. As no gunman has ever been arrested, it is not known exactly why the non-locals are targeted.

Police say that security measures have been tightened. Biren Singh is reported to have asked the police to instil a sense of confidence so that a mass exodus of non-locals is not triggered.

In the past, thousands of outsiders have left Manipur despite the best efforts of police. (IANS)