IMPHAL — The death toll from the violence that erupted in Manipur's Ukhrul town on October 2 climbed to four after one of the injured persons succumbed to the wounds on Thursday, sources said.
The deceased has been identified as YR Pamreiyo of Hungpung village.
Three persons, including one personnel of 6th Manipur Rifles, had lost their lives while more than 20 others sustained injuries when a confrontation between Hunphun and Hungphung villages over a longstanding land dispute turned violent in Ukhrul, located about 84km north-east of Imphal, on October 2.
Related: Land dispute explodes into violence in Ukhrul, leaves 3 dead in its wake
The victims were L Hongray and Silas Zingkhai from Ukhrul while the MR personnel was Worrinmi Thumra from Lunghar village.
According to a police source, around 10 of the injured persons were evacuated to Imphal while 8 others were discharged from the hospitals.
The source also confirmed that around 21 different weapons, including eight 9mm pistols, six INSAS rifles, three AK-47 rifles, two 9mm carbines, one SLR, and one sten gun, were snatched from Ukhrul police station by a mob during the course of violence in the hill town.
Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has offered condolences to the bereaved families and wished speedy recovery to the injured persons.
In an appeal issued late last night, Biren Singh expressed “extreme pain” at the unfortunate incident and said that all possible steps have been taken by the district administration, district police of Ukhrul and security forces to bring the situation under control.
Ex-gratia and financial assistance as per the scheme of Manipur government will be extended to the families of the deceased and to the persons injured, he said.
“I have ordered that the financial assistance for immediate requirements of the affected families be released by the state government. All injured are being assisted by the government to get proper treatment in Imphal as well in Ukhrul.
“I look forward for support from all stakeholders, including general public, public leaders and civil society organisations, to the state government in its endeavours to bring peace and normalcy as well as to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future,” he said.
Singh assured that Manipur government remains committed to resolve any issue through dialogue and mutual understanding while assuring the general public that those found guilty of inciting violence would not be spared.
Earlier, three Ukhrul district MLAs L Keishing (Phungyar), Kh Vashum (Chingai) and Ram Muivah (Ukhrul) had also appealed to the people concerned to stop the violence. “Let us not allow this moment to shatter what generations have built. Let us pause, reflect, and remember that our strength lies in unity, not division,” the three MLAs stated in a joint appeal.
Citing the possibility of law and order problem ‘which may lead to breach of peace and public tranquillity between the two villages’, the district authority has prohibited the movement of any person outside their respective residences and any other act or activity that could disturb the prevailing law and order in the scheduled area (neutral zone that is between Thingrasa and Ngaphar) from 9:30am on October 2, until further orders.
At the same time, Manipur home department has ordered temporary suspension/curbing of internet and mobile data services including VSATs, broadband (IILL & FTTH) and VPN services, in the district for 1 day with effect from 1:20 pm of October 2, subject to confirmation within the next 24 hours, except for those lease lines and FTTH connections to DC and SP Offices or any case whereby the state government grants exemption.