Imphal, March 29 An office allegedly used by NSCN(IM) was set on fire by an angry mob in the Ukhrul district of Manipur on Sunday, officials said.
The incident occurred after four members of the banned outfit, NSCN Eastern Flank, were reportedly shot dead by members of a rival group in the Kamjong district on Saturday.
Tension had been building in the Ukhrul district headquarters since Sunday morning after news of the killings spread.
A group of people went to the "NSCN(IM) office" and alleged that members of the outfit were involved in the killings. They demanded immediate punishment for those involved. The situation quickly escalated, and the mob set fire to the building, officials said.
No casualties were reported as the office was empty at the time of the incident.
The NSCN(IM) stated that no such order was issued from its headquarters to attack or engage in offensive against any group or faction.
It said that an investigation is underway to establish the facts and circumstances leading to the incident.
Four members of the NSCN Eastern Flank were shot dead by members of a rival group in the Kamjong district of Manipur.
The incident took place in the Hongbei village at 9 pm on Saturday, and the bodies have been recovered, a senior officer said.
"The police conducted a spot inquiry on Sunday morning and recovered the bodies," he said.
According to a statement issued by NSCN Eastern Flank, the members of the rival group stopped a vehicle with six of its members on board and fired at them.
The four members died on the spot, while two others managed to escape, the outlawed organization said.