Imphal, Nov. 1: Manipur Congress MLA Chungkhokai Doungel and his DIG son Christopher had a narrow escape when militants ambushed their convoy in Senapati this evening, barely a kilometre from the site of the Chavang Kut festival.

Of the three IRB personnel escorting the legislator, the condition of one is stated to be critical. Police are yet to identify the group behind the attack. Earlier, organisers of the festival had to cancel the Miss Kut beauty pageant following threats from the militant Kuki Liberation Army. The MLA and his son were returning to Imphal after attending the celebrations at Saikul when the militants laid the ambush. The DIG’s vehicle was tailing his father’s car.

Police said the militants hurled a bomb from a hillock which landed on a bullet-proof car. The rebels then opened fire on the three vehicles escorting the MLA. Police could not confirm whether the militants were targeting the MLA or his son. A massive search operation has been launched. Reinforcements were rushed to the site.

The injured persons were identified as riflemen Ng Surjit Singh, Leithen Maring and Md Tahar Ali. Surjit was hit on the head and his condition is critical.