Guwahati: At least three persons were killed and four others injured in a gunfight between two armed groups in Manipur’s Imphal West district on Monday morning, official said.

The incident took place in Kangchup area of the district.

According to sources, the gunfight began around 4 am and continued till 10.30 am.

The deceased have been identified as Angom Romesh, Angom Rakesh and Pukhrambam Nikhil.

Those injured were admitted to a hospital in Imphal where their conditions were stated to be stable, police said.

In Kakching district, four people were injured in Serou in an exchange of fire between two groups, they said.

On the other hand, Manipur government extended the ban on mobile and broadband internet again by another five days saying that the same was done in order to prevent spread of rumours and disinformation.

An order issued by the state home commissioner, H Gyan Prakash said the ban has been further extended till June 10. It said the step was taken as Manipur DGP even on Monday said that there are still reports of arson from some parts of the state.

It further said that the step was taken as anti-national and anti-social elements might use the social media platforms to spread the rumours and disinformation and incite people to take up violent activities.

Earlier in the day, the Imphal-Dimapur Road along National Highway-2, which was blocked since May 3 after large-scale ethnic violence in Manipur, reopened on Monday.

This comes just after Union home minister Amit Shah appealed to the people of Manipur to lift the blockade.

Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Shah tweeted: “My sincerest appeal to the people of Manipur is to lift the blockades at the Imphal-Dimapur, NH 2 highway, so that food, medicines, petrol/diesel and other necessary items can reach the people. I also request the CSOs to do the needful in bringing consensus. Together only we can restore normalcy in this beautiful state.”

Spokesperson of the Committee on Tribals Unity (COTU), Sadar Hills, Rev K Sitlhou, said that as a goodwill gesture to Shah’s visit on May 31 and his humble appeal, the people of Kangpokpi decided to open the National Highway-2 for seven days, starting from June 5.