Imphal: A man was shot dead by unidentified individuals near Langjing Hills, between Angom Leikai and Kangla Sangomshang under Lamlai police station in Manipur’s Imphal East district.
Commuters found the body on the morning of September 4.
A police team recovered the body and took it to the morgue at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) for post-mortem examination.
Police have registered a suo motu case at Lamlai police station and launched an investigation.
Meanwhile, the banned militant group National Revolutionary Front Manipur (NRFM) has claimed responsibility for the killing.In a statement issued by its information and publicity secretary, Sanajaoba Meitei, the outfit identified the victim as 26-year-old Waikhom Athoi, also known as Shidaba, from Khabam Mayai Leikai.
The group claimed that Athoi was shot near the area between Kangla Sangomshang and Angom Leikai.According to the NRFM, Athoi had previously been a cadre of the Manipur Army, the group’s armed wing.
It said he deserted his camp on January 19, 2026, took a weapon with him and surrendered to security forces.
The outfit said Athoi subsequently spent four months in jail. It alleged that after his release, he became involved in extortion with others despite repeated warnings to stop.
The group further claimed that it summoned Athoi on August 19, 2026, but he went into hiding instead of appearing before it.
The NRFM said this led to the killing.