Imphal, March 25 2009: Protesting the killing of an 'innocent civilian' whom the police claimed was an activist of the proscribed KYKL, local residents of Kakwa area erupted in violence and blocked the Imphal-Moreh Road for hours today.

Giving 48 hours deadline to the Government to effect the arrest and punishment of the security personnel involved in the killing, the JAC formed in protest of the killing has also announced its decision of imposing a general strike along National Highway 39 from Lilong to Singjamei with effect from midnight of today to mid-night of tomorrow (March 26). Police claimed that 28-year old Thaodem Shantikumar alias Shanti son of late Ibochou of Kakwa Lamdaibung was killed by a combined force of Imphal West Police Commandos and personnel of 16 Assam Rifles during an encounter which took place at around 4.30 pm yesterday near the foothill of Tairenpokpi Maning under Lamshang Police Station.

Police also claimed that combined force have recovered one Sten gun loaded with some ammunition and a magazine of AK Rifles with 15 bullets from the possession of Shantikumar.

However, refuting the police claim, the family members and the local residents have asserted that Shantikumar was an innocent person who was earning his livelihood as a construction worker.

In protest against the killing, a large number of local residents came out at around 7 am today and blocked the stretch of the NH39 at Kakwa area.

Afterward, the protestors were dispersed by the police along with firing tear gas canisters and the road block was cleared.