Celebration for India’s victory in World Cup Cricket turns bloody in Manipur; stray bullet kills woman in Thoubal district

(9.00 pm 3/4/2011, Imphal)

Celebration for India’s victory in World cup on Saturday night turn bloody in Manipur after a woman was killed by a stray bullet at Thoubal district. The projectile which landed on the woman was allegedly fired upon by personnel of 15^{th Assam Rifle post at Thoubal Tomching to celebrate India’s victory in the final World cup cricket match on Saturday. The incident allegedly happened on the previous midnight and the woman was at her bed when the projectile hit her. The deceased lady has been identified as Yaikhom Ongbi Mani Devi of Thoubal Nongmaikhong. She is about 70 years old. Speaking to ISTV News locals said after India won the final match on Saturday night Assam Rifles soldiers, who joined the massive celebrations, fired many rounds after which the seventy year old woman died. Several other stray bullets also landed at many houses Thoubal Nongmaikhong area. Police have begun a probe to ascertain the incident's veracity. Camp Commander of the 15th Assam Riffles Post of Thoubal Tomching also took stock of the situation today morning. The woman's body has been deposited at RIMS morgue for autopsy. Meanwhile, locals of the area today convened a public meeting in protest against the death of the woman. The meeting resolved to urged government authority for shifting of the Assam Riffles post from the area besides demanding a judicial probe into the incident. They also resolved not to accept the dead body if the demands were not fulfilled by the authority. A sit-in-protest was also staged at Thoubal Bazaar.}