Two girls shot dead, two wounded in Manipur

Imphal, Mar 25 (UNI) Two teenaged girls were shot dead by unidentified miscreants last night at Heirok Part II Laimamang area under Thoubal district, while two boys were wounded in the firing police today said.

A Thabal Chongba (Dance in the moonlit night) had been organised here last night, as part of the prolonged Holi festival in the state. A large number of young boys and girls of the area were taking part in the function.

The programme normally continues till midnight, police informed, while adding that when celebrations were going on in full swing some unidentified people fired at the gathering, resulting in the death of two girls.

The bodies were today brought to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) for post mortem. The boys were reportedly out of danger and were undergoing treatment at the same hospital.

The festivities in the state had been affected due to rain and curfew during the night. Police said curfew was on last night and the government had issued an order asking everyone to avoid organising any function during the night.

Due to the curfew imposed by the government from 1800 hours - 0500 hours daily for the eighth consecutive day today, all sorts of festivities had been suspended in other parts of the state.

Between March 17 and 19, 15 migrant workers were killed by unidentified armed people in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal and Bishenpur districts. To avert occurrence of a carnage, the government had imposed prohibitory orders in the four districts during the night.

UNI NS LL RD JT RN1059