Thursday, June 23 2005 10:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Imphal: Normal life was today (Jun 23, 2005) brought to a complete halt in Manipur following a 19-hour 'General Strike' called by an apex body of social organisations in protest against the killing of a 35-year-old man by Assam rifles personnel on Monday last (Jun 23, 2005).

All markets, shops, business establishments, central and State Government offices remained closed in view of the general strike, official reports said.

Reports said transport services between hill and valley, and between Manipur and neighbouring States were also cancelled while all vehicles were also off the roads.

Normally busy Imphal city wore a deserted look as people preferred to remain indoors in view of the general strike, which began from midnight last, reports said.

A spokesman of the 'Apunba Lup', which had called the strike said the Lup would launch a series of agitation if the authorities failed to punish the killers of Pheiroijam Keshorjit.

While Assam Rifles (AR) said Keshorjit was killed in encounter, local residents said keshorjit was picked up from a place near his house and later shot dead.

Assam rifles' claim that keshorjit was a member of banned kangleipak communist party was denied by local residents who said the victim was a small time contractor, official sources said.

Meanwhile, Assam Rifles authorities have ordered a departmental enquiry into the incident, AR sources said.