Imphal, February 09 2009: A woman ex-Pradhan and sitting Member of a Gram Panchayat have been shot dead by unidentified persons at Khelakhong.

The ex-Pradhan is identified as Bashijan Bibi (45) w/o Md Rashid Ali (now divorced) of Khelakhong.

She was the elected Pradhan of Uchiwa Gram Panchayat.

Her corpse was discovered this morning from a farm house located at Laipat, along the road from Khelakhong to Heibong Makhong.

The corpse of the incumbent Member of the same Gram Panchayat Md Sanayai alias Kiramuddin (42) s/o late Md Ibochou of Khelakhong was also found a little distance away.

Local people said that they heard gun shots at about 11 pm yesterday.

The exact reason for the killing and the identity of the killers could not be ascertained as yet.

Police have picked up the corpses and deposited them at RIMS morgue.

In connection with the twin killings, Mayang Imphal police have registered a case and started an investigation.

On the other hand, a Joint Action Committee has been constituted against the killings at a public meeting held at Khelakhong Amanbi Karbastan ground today.

Resolutions of the meeting which included several demands have also been submitted to the Chief Minister in the form of a memorandum.

A large number of Khelakhong people came to Imphal to register their protest against the twin killings with the Chief Minister at about noon today.

They were however blocked by police on their way.

Yet some representatives were allowed to proceed and meet the Chief Minister.

The demands included in the JAC's memorandum were fitting punishment to all those involved in the killing, ex-gratia of Rs four lakhs to each of the bereaved families along with one suitable Govt job each to one member of the bereaved families and adequate security measures to prevent such criminal acts in future.

The JAC claimed the corpses would not be claimed until the demands are implemented.