Farmer injured, woman killed in gun attack in Mnp

A 60-year-old farmer was hit by a bullet allegedly fired by suspected Kuki militants while he was working at his paddy field in Phubala of Bishnupur district adjoining the hill district of Churachandpur of strife-hit Manipur on Thursday.
The injured farmer identified as Ningthoujam Biren (60) was hit by a bullet on his left arm, and rushed to Bishnupur district hospital from where he was shifted to RIMS hospital after administering first aid.
The suspects fired around five rounds of bullet toward a group of farmers working in their paddy fields at Phubala around 3.20pm.
Local police along with the Central security forces rushed to the spot immediately to investigate the latest firing incident targeting the farmers working in the paddy fields in the fringe of the valley districts.
Injured Biren told reporters that while they were working at the paddy fields, suddenly around five rounds of gun were fired toward them. He was hit by one of the bullets on his left hand while others ran away after hearing the gun firings.
In the follow up operation to the shooting to injure a farmer, security forces engaged in a heavy exchange of fire with suspected Kuki militants.
During the crossfire, a woman later identified as Hoikholhing, wife of Khaigin, chief of Langchingmanbi village was killed, a police source said.
Local police investigated the incident and the deceased was transported to district hospital, Churachandpur for necessary legal formalities.
Cases have been registered in connection with the incidents, and investigation is underway, the police said.
The combined security forces were continuing search operations to nab the culprit(s). Every effort was being made to bring those responsible to justice at the earliest.
Located at the periphery of the valley, the vast paddy fields in Phubala area is close to the hills of Churachandpur district and the Central security forces were stationed at a place not so far away from the site where the firing took place.