Imphal, October 18: Unidentified gunmen shot dead three youths near the dam at Keibi Kumuda, 6 kms west of Lamlai Police Station at around 8.30 pm yesterday.

In protest against the killing, Imphal-Ukhrul Road has been blocked by the infuriated local people.

The three slain youths have been identified as Yumnam Dilip alias Inao (21) s/o Ibomcha of Yourbung Mayai Leikai, Sandham Dhanajit (21) s/o S Ibocha of Yourbung Mayai Leikai and Huidrom Manaoton (22) s/p Kulachandra of Itam Nungoi.

All three of them have reportedly gone out together in the Honda Activa (MN01Q/8060) belonging to H Manaoton at around 3.30 pm yesterday to invite someone for performing Cassette dance in connection with Panthoibi worship programme at Yourbung.

However, some local people claimed to have seen them going toward the road leading to Sabungkhok along with three other unidentified youths coming on a two-wheeler.

Their bodies were found this morning in front of a shed newly constructed for the labourers engaged in the construction of a canal of the dam.

All three of them were found blind-folded and their hands tied from behind.

A bullet that was shot from the neck of Dilip pierced through his skull while S Dhanajit bore a fatal bullet wound on his right side cheek that exited on the left side.

As for Manaoton, there was a fatal bullet wound on his head.

Police have recovered two empty cartridges from the site of the incident.

The Kinetic Honda which they had taken along with them was found thrown inside a nearby drain.

Dilip is said to be a person whose wedding date has already been fixed.

Lamlai police picked up all the bodies and deposited th same at the mortuary of RIMS for post-mortem.

In protest against the killing of the three youths, agitated womenfolk blocked the Imphal-Ukhrul road at Yourbung area and did not allowed any vehicular movement since 8 am today.

Meanwhile, taking serious note of the killing, Keibi Kumuda Development Committee has appealed to all concerned to ensure such incidents do not recur in the village in th future.

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