An armed extremist was shot dead by Assam Rifles personnel on the outskirts of Imphal, as a string of bomb explosions ripped through the town, tonight amidst beefed up security.

Official sources said Assam Rifles personnel posted at Canchipur, about four kilometres south of here, ordered two persons riding a scooter to halt late this evening. When they did not the security personnel opened fire killing one of them, while the other escaped.

Blasts rocked the town as the 23-hour `public curfew', called by four underground organisations began in Manipur.

Reports said all markets and roads wore a deserted look soon after the `public curfew' began. Earlier, there was a heavy rush at Khwairamband bazar, the biggest commercial market complex in the state in the evening.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.