The death and injuries were caused by falling debris. Manipur state's home minister, G. Gaikhangam, said several areas suffered extensive damage, especially the capital, Imphal. He did not give details but told reporters the situation was still being assessed.
Three people were killed in Imphal and five in other parts of the state, said police officer A.K. Jalajit.
Media reports said five people were killed in neighboring Bangladesh, but there was no official confirmation.
The 6.7-magnitude tremor left large cracks in walls, damaged a bridge on the outskirts of the capital and caused a newly constructed six-story building to collapse. The region is dotted with small houses with few tall buildings.
India's Meteorological Department said the epicenter was in the Tamenglong region of Manipur. It struck 35 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of Imphal, 17 kilometers (10 miles) below the surface and not far from the border with Myanmar.
Police officer L. Ragui said by telephone that dozens of homes were slightly damaged in Tamenglong.
Shangthon Kamei, a teacher in Tamenglong, said the earthquake rattled buildings.
"It lasted for around one minute. We were sleeping and were woken up by the earthquake," he said.
The area is remote, with poor cellphone and Internet connections, and information about conditions outside of major cities may take time to emerge.
Nearly 90 members of the National Disaster Response Force have left to check on remote areas, police said.
Imphal residents said furniture was knocked over and books fell off shelves.
"The ground swayed for almost a minute, jolting people awake in their homes," said one resident, Apem Arthur.
(AP)
Indian soldiers and locals remove debris from a damaged building after
an earthquake in Imphal, capital of the northeastern Indian state of
Manipur, Monday, Jan. 4, 2016. A 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit India's
remote northeast region before dawn on Monday.
The interior of a house is damaged after an earthquake in Imphal,
capital of the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, Monday, Jan. 4,
2016. A 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit India's remote northeast region
before dawn on Monday.
Indian soldiers and locals remove debris from a damaged building after
an earthquake in Imphal, capital of the northeastern Indian state of
Manipur, Monday, Jan. 4, 2016. A 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit India's
remote northeast region before dawn on Monday.
The interior of a market is damaged after an earthquake in Imphal,
capital of the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, Monday, Jan. 4,
2016. A 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit India's remote northeast region
before dawn on Monday.
Indian soldiers and locals remove debris from a damaged building after
an earthquake in Imphal, capital of the northeastern Indian state of
Manipur, Monday, Jan. 4, 2016. A 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit India's
remote northeast region before dawn on Monday.
The interior of a market is seen damaged in an earthquake in Imphal,
capital of the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, Monday, Jan. 4,
2016. A 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit India's remote northeast region
before dawn on Monday.
Indian men inspect the damage caused to a building that collapsed in an
earthquake in Imphal, capital of the northeastern Indian state of
Manipur, Monday, Jan. 4, 2016. A 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit India's
remote northeast region before dawn on Monday.
An Indian man inspects damage caused to a house after an earthquake in
Imphal, capital of the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, Monday,
Jan. 4, 2016. A 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit India's remote northeast
region before dawn on Monday.
A doctor attends to a man who was injured after an earthquake at a
hospital in Imphal, capital of the northeastern state of Manipur, India,
Monday, Jan. 4, 2016. A 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit India's remote
northeast region before dawn on Monday.
An Indian man grimaces in pain after he was injured an earthquake in
Imphal, capital of the northeastern state of Manipur, India, Monday,
Jan. 4, 2016. A 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit India's remote northeast
region before dawn on Monday.