Three persons were shot dead by armed persons in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on July 2, police said.
The incident happened at Kumbi town.
Sources said there was heavy firing from the nearby hills at Laingoubi, Chandolpokpi and Soukom areas since July 1 midnight.
People of the area requested the central forces to help them as the firing from the hill areas had been going on since May 3.
Around 50,000 people living in the foothills and other affected areas have been displaced and are still living in relief camps.
Locals said many people who were guarding the villages were killed and repeated firing using sophisticated guns, sniper and mortar from the hills have made it impossible for the villagers to return.
The villagers also said the miscreants also killed cattle and took them away.
Some volunteers now guard the vacated villages as locals fear their houses will be completely burnt. Over 3,000 houses were burnt since the beginning of the present disturbances.
Manipur governor Anusuiya Uikey also condemned the attack on farmers in a statement on July 2.
Curfew was still on in most parts of the state, save relaxation of few hours. Internet has suspended since May 3 when the crisis started in Churachandpur district.
