Manipur has roped in scientists and experts from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to identify mysterious predators that had been attacking humans and killing livestock for over a month. Reports of killing domesticated animals and fowls were first reported from a village in Churachandpur district about 75 km from State capital Imphal in the last week of October. The animals and fowls were killed with powerful bites and their entrails were missing. Similar predatory attacks were reported from five other districts — Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching and Kangpokpi — in the next few weeks. A farmer in a village about 7 km from Imphal said 35 of his ducks were killed in one night. “Forest officials in most of the districts have strategically placed wooden cages with chicken as bait to trap and identify the suspected killer or killers. The villagers have been alerted to keep their livestock secured,” Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh told The Hindu on Sunday. He also said that three wildlife biologists and a forensic expert from the WII have been camping in Imphal to investigate the phenomenon. “Two senior scientists are expected to arrive with camera traps to collect robust evidence,” he added. Ningombam Bupenda Meitei, a former lecturer of Philosophy at Delhi University’s Hindu College, said he had met some of the villagers who lost livestock to the mysterious killers. He has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare “emergency” as the predators had begun to attack humans. The first victim on Saturday was one Rozina, a homemaker, of Khurai Heikrumakhong in Imphal East districts. She said a “flying animal” had attacked her while she was in the toilet. She is undergoing treatment for “unusual wounds” at the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS). “When animals are attacked, it’s a wildlife issue. But when humans are attacked, it’s a law and order issue. All political parties should be united in solving the mystery of these unknown aliens or vampire-like predators and resolve to dispel the fear of the deadly attacks from the minds of the people of Manipur,” Mr. Meitei said.