DAR ES SALAAM, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian police said on Thursday they have launched a manhunt for gunmen who shot outspoken opposition Member of Parliament, Tundu Lissu, in the east African nation's political capital Dodoma.
"We are appealing to the public to help police by giving information that will lead to the arrest of the gunmen," said Gilles Moroto, the Dodoma regional police commander.
Jordan Rugimbana, the Dodoma regional commissioner, said senior officials, including Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Tulia Ackson, visited the MP at the Dodoma General Hospital.
"We are appealing for calmness as the MP was receiving treatment," he told a joint news conference, also urging well-wishers not to flock the hospital because there is not enough space.
James Kiologwe, the Dodoma regional medical officer, said Lissu was admitted to the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where he was being treated by a team of specialized doctors.
"I cannot say at the moment how many bullets lodged in his body but he was shot in the stomach and legs. He is alive and doctors are treating him," said Kiologwe, adding that the MP was sent to the hospital in the afternoon.
Freeman Mbowe, opposition party Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA) chairman, said Lissu was shot several times at his home in Dodoma.
"He is in critical condition but doctors are fighting to save his life at the Dodoma General Hospital," Mbowe told a radio station, promising to give more details later.
Members of Parliament attending a National Assembly session in Dodoma rushed to the hospital to see their colleague.
Last month, Lissu, who is also the President of the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS), called on lawyers to boycott court proceedings in protest against an attack on a law firm headquarters.
