India, June 5 -- A couple and their son were killed, and several houses were set on fire as fresh violence erupted in ethnic violence-hit Manipur, with two armed groups exchanging fire on Friday, even as a hostage crisis remains unresolved in the northeastern state.

Residents and community organisations said the gunfire began around 4:10am in Kangpokpi district's Loibol Khellen. Officials said Letkhongam Haokip, his wife, Tinmary Haokip, and their son, Jangminlal Haokip, were killed in the violence.

Deputy chief minister Nemcha Kipgen called the killing of the three and the burning of homes "by unknown armed miscreants" a tragic and unacceptable act. He said the government is taking the incident very seriously. "Necessary steps are bein...