Protests erupt after fresh violence in India's Manipur state

NEW DELHI, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Protests erupted in India's northeastern state of Manipur after unidentified assailants killed at least three people belonging to the Meitei community on Monday, local police said.

Three people were injured, while a couple of others went missing after the shootout reported from the Imphal East district, near Nongsum Hills.

The attack was allegedly carried out by militants belonging to the Kuki community. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.

The victims went to collect firewood when they came under attack, said the police.

According to media reports, enraged at the killings, hundreds of people protested outside the state chief minister's official residence. They demanded immediate action against the assassins.

The incident raised fears of renewed violence between the two communities in the state, added the media reports.