A couple, the husband working as a government teacher and the wife a nurse, were found murdered at Shamator in Tuensang district triggering arson in the area.
A senior police officer said the couple identified as Alemba and Naro were found shot dead in their vehicle enroute to Kiphire district yesterday, about 20 km away from Shamator towards Kiphire.
Following news of the killing, a mob went on rampage in the district headquarters setting on fire several vehicles on the road while destroying houses yesterday afternoon.
As the situation went out of hand, the district administration promulgated prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC, the officer said.
However people were seen defying the order and fired in the air till late night hours, eyewitnesses said.
The officer said with the deployment of two companies of the NAP (IR) and further assistance by the Assam Rifles, the situation was finally contained even as additional two companies of reinforcement have also been requisitioned.
Altogether 5 vehicles and 3 houses were burnt while several other houses damaged by the irate mob, the officer said.
The woman was employed as a nurse at Shamator village medical sub-centre, while the man a primary school teacher at Kiphire.
The public funeral of the victims will be held today, the officer said.
