Imphal: A village chief in Manipur’s Churachandpur district died after being brutally assaulted by unidentified armed men on Monday evening, officials said.
The victim, identified as M. Haokip, the chief of T Khonomphai village under Henglep sub-division, was reportedly attacked near his residence.
While the motive behind the assault remains unclear, police suspect the involvement of cadres from the United Kuki National Army (UKNA), a militant outfit not under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with the Centre and the Manipur government.
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Haokip, aged around 50, sustained severe injuries and was being taken to the Churachandpur District Hospital when he succumbed to his wounds en route.
Police have registered a case at Henglep police station, and a probe is underway to identify and apprehend the assailants.
After completing all formalities, authorities handed over the body to the villagers for the final rites.
