Imphal/IBNS/UNI: Three people were shot dead by armed miscreants in Manipur's Bishnupur district on Sunday, police said.

The incident happened in Kumbi town. According to sources, there was heavy firing from the nearby hills at Laingoubi, Chandolpokpi, and Soukom areas since Saturday midnight.

People of the area requested the central forces to help them as the firing from the Kuki-dominated hill areas had been going on since May 3.

Around 50000 people living in the foothills and other affected areas have been displaced and are still living in relief camps.

Locals said many people who were guarding the villages were killed. The miscreants repeated firing using sophisticated guns, sniper, and mortar from the hills which made it impossible for the villagers to return.

The villagers said the miscreants also killed cattle and took them away.

Some volunteers now guard the vacated villages as locals fear their houses will be completely burnt. Over 3000 houses have been burnt since the beginning of the present disturbances.

Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey also condemned the attack on farmers.

Curfew was still on in most parts of the state, save relaxation of a few hours. The Internet has been suspended since May 3 when the crisis started in the Churachandpur district.