NEW DELHI: A policeman was shot dead by a sniper in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Wednesday as the state continues to face serious ethnic conflict and violence.
Ongmang Haokip, a sub-inspector in the Manipur police posted in Chingphei, was killed by a bullet in the head at around 1.30 pm on Wednesday, an Indian national daily reported. Two civilians were also reportedly injured in the shooting.
“One of our officers died in the incident. He was posted at Churachandpur. We are investigating the incident,” said District Superintendent of Police Kartik Malladi.
A Manipur police statement said Haokip was “martyred in firing by criminals”.
“Manipur Police strongly condemns this heinous act. His last rites will be performed tomorrow [Thursday] in Churachandpur in a befitting manner,” the statement continued.
Haokip’s brother-in-law Lamboi told the newspaper that Haokip saved people from a mob in Moirang on May 3. “The next day, Haokip and his colleague (another sub-inspector) were attacked by a mob that damaged their vehicle. He then fled from Moirang and came to Churachandpur. Haokip was an honest policeman who didn’t even have his own house and lived on rent. He was recently assigned a police precinct. The government should ensure that the killers are arrested and justice is served as soon as possible,” Lamboi said.
Haokip’s killing is a day after three Kuki-Zo men were shot dead in Kangpopki district. Manipur has been witnessing intense ethnic conflict since May 3. Approximately 200 people lost their lives and tens of thousands were displaced from their homes. The ethnic differences between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities have become extremely sharp, with the two communities no longer inhabiting the same areas.
