Fresh ethnic violence in Manipur has escalated following the killing of three civilians allegedly by Kuki militants, triggering angry protests. Three people collecting firewood in a forest were shot dead on Monday, triggering protests by locals who placed their bodies outside the chief minister’s residence here.

Three others were also injured as militants opened fire on a group of firewood collectors on the border of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts, officials said, adding that three more have gone missing.