Despite the state government's order issued to collect licensed arms from the general public before the arrival of the upcoming Manipur Assembly elections, some miscreants opened fire at a residence in Keirao Bitra Awang Leikai in the wee hours of Wednesday.

It is reported that at about 12.46 am of Wednesday, some armed miscreants fired five rounds of 9 mm bullets at the residence of one Ningthoujam Herojit, 41, son of late N Deben of Keirao Bitra Awang Leikai.

Herojit said that after the gunshots, miscreants also pelted stones at his house. He said one bullet was found in his bedroom. It penetrated through the wall which was made of mud and straw.

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Decrying the shooting at a populated area, locals of Keirao Bitra Awang Leikai staged a sit-in-protest in front of the residence of Herojit on Wednesday.

One protestor, Ningthoujam Maichon who is the mother of Herojit said the locals strongly condemn the shooting in a populated area. She raised suspicion that the shooting was carried out with intent to threaten and intimidate. Questioning who would take responsibility had any unwanted incidents taken place during the incident, she said that they had no enmity with any individual or person related to the upcoming election. She further appealed not to repeat such incidents in future.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Biren Singh at his secretariat office told the media on Wednesday evening that concerning the present situation in the state, experienced police officers are needed to keep everything under control. For that, the state government has issued an order of transfer and posting a few days ago, he added.

“I cannot force it as the Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken an independent security arrangement after the schedule of the upcoming poll has been announced.” He further said that ECI might be trying to improve the situation of the state.

“I am really against such types of violence which occurred recently at Samurou area in Wangoi assembly constituency where two persons were killed, as well as the Heirok incident where one was killed. Such types of incidents including exploding of bombs in some areas of the state might be carried out by politically motivated individuals and carried out by planning,” he said.

He appealed to the citizens of the state not to encourage such types of crimes or cooperate with such individuals.