Imphal, Nov. 27:Five laborers were shot dead and some seriously injured by suspected Naga militants at Maphou dam area located near the border of Ukhrul and Thoubal districts in Manipur.

The militants in army uniform gunned down five labourers engaged in the construction of the dam over Thoubal river at Maphou area under Litan police station. Equipment used in the construction of the dam were also damaged by the militants Injured people have been admitted to hospital in critical condition.

Bodies of the dead have been taken to Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital in Imphal for postmortem.

The militants escaped under the cover of darkness after the attack which took place at around 10 pm last night.

Security has been tightened in Maphou to prevent any untoward incident after the killings.

Local residents and committees had recently took out a procession in protest against the construction of the dam before properly rehabilitating the affected people. (ANI)