NEW DELHI: Three villagers, including a father and son, were killed by unknown assailants in the Meitei majority area of Bishnupur district in a setback to the peace efforts in Manipur.

The incident took place in the village of Ukha Tampak yesterday at 2 am. After shooting the three people who were sleeping in neighbouring houses, they were brutally killed with a sword. All three have returned home from the relief camp.

The forces fired tear gas to disperse the protesting angry crowd. Many houses of Kukis were burnt. A commando was injured in the exchange of fire between the Kukis and the forces. A curfew in Imphal was extended due to violence.

The assailants reached the village from Churachundpur by crossing the two-km buffer zone between the hills and valleys, bypassing the eyes of the central forces. The villagers who were guarding the houses could not stop them. Three people, including a policeman, were injured in the exchange of fire between the forces and the rioters near Kwakta.

Curfew has been relaxed from 5 am to 10.30 am in the twin districts of Imphal West-East. Relaxation was given till evening.

Meanwhile, the army destroyed seven illegal bunkers in an operation in the Kutruk hills last day.

The 24-hour strike in Manipur's 27 assembly constituencies yesterday brought normal life to a standstill in the Imphal Valley, with markets and business establishments closed.