In a tragic incident, a one-year-old infant was critically injured after being struck by a stray bullet while sleeping in a rented room at Naoremthong Khulem in Imphal West district at around 4 pm yesterday.
The bullet is suspected to have landed after unknown persons allegedly fired rounds of gunshots while celebrating New Year’s Day in the area. The infant, identified as Maibam Thoithoi, sustained a gunshot injury to the vertex area of the head.
The injured child is the son of Maibam Thoiba and belongs to a displaced family from Jiribam. The family had taken shelter in a rented accommodation at Naoremthong following the outbreak of the ongoing crisis that began on May 23, 2023.
Sources said the infant was rushed to Little Clinic, Nagaram, where he is undergoing treatment and his condition has been stated to be critical.
The incident has triggered concern among local residents, with calls for strict action against celebratory firing and tighter enforcement to prevent such dangerous practices. Police are said to be looking into the circumstances leading to the incident.