Manipur residents worried over deaths of non-local labourers

Imphal, April 10 (ANI): Militants have not stopped targeting non-local labourers in Manipur. Such incidents have created fear of repercussions in other States on people from the north-easten part of the country.

Militants have been targeting non-local labourers for money.

The militant group Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) has claimed responsibility for the recent killing of Deepak Gupta, a shop owner in Imphal when their extortion demands were not met.

Condemning the killing of Deepak Gupta and the frequent targeting of laborers in Manipur, shops and schools in the state remained closed in protest.

People here have strongly criticised the killings of innocent labourers.

"If this continues, it will be a great loss for Manipur. Students studying outside will be affected. It's difficult even for the parents. This is really very bad," said Ibochouba Singh, Local, Manipur.

"I feel really unhappy, I don't want such incidents to happen. I am sad. If there is peace in the state, everyone will be happy. Many lives have been lost, we have no place to live and earn our living. We the people are really suffering, " said Shyama Devi.

There is turmoil and uncertainty in Manipur caused by militant violence.

"This sort of trend indicates that whatever the outfits, they claim that they have got high ideologies, but these are all nonsense. After all targeting helpless people, migrant laborers, and simple workers of the political party who are defenseless, are just acts of terrorism, nothing else," said Joykumar Singh, IPS, DGP Manipur.

Labourers come to Manipur looking for an opportunity to earn a livelihood. However the militants have been trying to extort money from them and this has spread fear and panic among them.

Such incidents have disrupted peace and harmony in the state.

Last year, about twenty migrants were shot dead. (ANI)