Imphal, December 16 2008: POLL RELATED violence erupted in Kwakta of Moirang assembly constituency after four unknown gunmen shot and injured at least two persons by intruding among a group of people who gathered in connection with election campaign around 7.45 pm tonight.

Two persons including a gunman died in the incident.

The gunman succumbed to injury when he was beaten up blue and black by a large crowd who caught him after chasing him while the other man died inside a burning house which was set on fire by the mob who hunted for the escaping gunman, local reports said.

A large team of Bishnupur police rushed to the spot and tried to quell the mob and check further escalation of violence in the area.

The incident occurred at Kwakta Ward No.8 where several people gathered in connection with an election rally in connection with the by-election to Moirang AC.

The tension quickly spread to the neighbouring village.

Reports reaching here said that four armed persons came to the place where people gathered and made an attempt to abduct a 24-year old girl named Abemtombi, daughter of one Md Sanayai of the locality.

When the gunmen attempted to forcibly take her away, those women who were there stopped them resulting in a heated exchange of words between the two sides.

Amidst the noisy scene, one of the gunmen took out a gun and shot at and injured the leg of a 60-year old man named Md Abdul Samat.

The gunman fired twice, but only one bullet hit him.

Eye-witnesses said that after firing, the gunmen were chased by the people.

One of them was overpowered by the mob.

The gunman turned in a bid to escape fired one bullet to Bishir.

He was hit by the bullet at his left arm.

Anger over the shooting to injure, the mob thrashed the gunmen to dead.

From the possession of the slain gunmen, a 9 mm pistol seized was by the mob.

On knowing the identity of the slain gunman and his accomplices, the people proceeded to Ukha Tampak Kuki village where the gunmen were said to stay the night before and set ablaze the house which they used to stay.

In the burning of the house a man who was said to be hearing problem inside the house burnt to dead.

On getting the information, police rushed to the spot in a bid to control the mob.

Troops of Jat Regiment camping at Kwakta also assisted the police in controlling the mob.

Two people injured during the incident have been evacuated at RIMS hospital and admitted there, reports said.

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