A 55-year-old man was shot dead and his wife critically injured after unidentified assailants allegedly broke into their house at Keirao Wangkhem Mamang Leikai under Irilbung Police Station in Imphal East district in the early hours of Sunday.
The deceased has been identified as Ngangkham Thambou, son of late Ngangkham Iboton. According to reports, the incident occurred at around 2:30 am when two unidentified persons allegedly forced open the front door of the house and entered the premises.
Police sources said Thambou confronted the intruders when they attempted to enter the room of his son and daughter. During the confrontation, one of the assailants allegedly opened fire, killing Thambou on the spot.
The attackers also allegedly assaulted his wife, Ngangkham Keinatombi (52), with a sharp weapon, inflicting serious injuries to her head and neck. She was initially admitted to Shija Hospital at Langol and was later shifted to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for advanced treatment. Her condition is stated to be critical.
The assailants reportedly fled the scene after the attack. Local residents suspect the murder was a premeditated act, though the motive remains unknown.
A team led by the Additional Superintendent of Police, Imphal East, along with personnel from Irilbung Police Station and the Forensic Science team, inspected the crime scene. Following completion of legal formalities, the body was shifted to the JNIMS mortuary for post-mortem examination.
The incident triggered widespread outrage among local residents, who convened a public meeting and formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to pursue justice. The JAC has reportedly resolved not to claim the body unless the perpetrators are arrested by July 22.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident.
