At least nine people were killed and 10 others injured in the latest gunfight between members of rival ethnic groups in violence-hit Manipur.
Following the latest gunfight with heavy casualties, district administrations in Imphal West and Imphal East have shortened the curfew relaxation period in their respective districts.
The toll is likely to increase as around three persons are said to be missing after the latest gunfight reported in Khamenlok area of Imphal East district bordering Kangpokpi district on June 13 night.
The area has been the battle ground since the first gunfight erupted on June 12.
The latest gunfight erupted on June 13 night, around 11 pm and lasted for some hours, according to reports.
Security forces who rushed to the spot on receiving the information also opened fire toward suspected militants.
Search operation in the aftermath after the firing ceased, the security forces retrieved seven dead bodies and 12 injured persons.
Among the injured persons, one succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital while another one died upon reaching Raj Medicity hospital in Imphal North AOC.
The police transferred the dead bodies at JNIMS morgue in Imphal where identities of eight of them were established and claimed by their respective families after necessary postmortem.
The eight deceased have been identified as Haobijam Somenkumar from Pangei Waiton Leikai, Moirangthem Heman from Okshu, Konjengbam Shankar from Itum Nungoi Awang Leikai, Telem Thoithoi from Leimakol Mapal, Laishram Naothoibi from Kongpal Ningthoubung Leikai, RK Prasanta from Kongpal Ningthoubung Leikai, Yumnam Surjitkumar from Ningthemcha, Laishram Suresh from Ningthemcha.
The deceased were from different localities in Imphal.
