Imphal, 12 July (HS): A 53-year-old Kuki farmer was killed after unidentified armed men allegedly opened fire while he was working in a jhum field in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Saturday evening. His wife, who was with him at the time, escaped without injury.

The deceased has been identified as Haolal Singsit, a resident of Govajang village. According to local sources, the couple was engaged in cultivation when gunmen reportedly fired around 20 rounds at about 4 p.m., creating panic in the area.

After the couple failed to return home, villagers launched a search and found Haolal Singsit's body in the field with multiple bullet injuries. His wife later reached safety, locals said.

Some local organisations and residents alleged that the attackers belonged to the NSCN-IM and ZUF-K. However, police and security agencies had not officially confirmed the identity of the assailants till the filing of the report.

The incident occurred just days after security forces recovered several weapons during a combing operation near Govajang village in the Tujang Vaichong subdivision, close to the Tamenglong district border. The killing has further heightened security concerns among residents of the violence-affected hill region. An investigation into the incident is expected.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash