Imphal, Nov. 3: Migrant labourers stopped venturing outside Imphal city from today after two of them were shot dead by unidentified persons in Thoubal and Imphal West districts.

Unidentified gunmen shot dead a butcher, 47-year-old Joysankar Prasad, at Wango Laipham Chuthek in Thoubal district on October 31.

Yesterday, gunmen killed a scrap iron collector, Md Kalam Sheikh, at Takyel Khongbal of Imphal West.

No armed group has claimed responsibility for the attacks and police do not have any clue about the killers either.

According to official records, 24 migrants have been killed in Manipur so far this year.

The latest strikes brought back memories of the February attacks, which had forced the Okram Ibobi Singh government to open two relief camps in Imphal city for migrants.

The government has not opened any relief camp this time since there are no reports of migrants shifting to Imphal from other parts of the state.

An official source, however, said if necessary the government was prepared to open such shelters.

Following advice from the police, migrants staying in Imphal city did not move out of the Imphal municipal limit today for their safety.

The senior superintendent of police, Imphal West L. Kailun, yesterday issued an appeal to migrants not to venture out of the Imphal city and travel to remote areas.

Migrants who sell betel leaves, sweets and other items were not spotted outside the city today.

“I used to supply bakery items to village shops every morning in the rural fringes of Imphal West. But today I stayed in the city. I fear that I can be the next target,” Manoj Kumar, a migrant from Bihar, said.

Though there was no official report of any migrant shifting from other parts of the state, some came to Imphal today and were now staying with their relatives.

Migrants living in other valley districts also remained confined to the town headquarters.

The police, however, said migrants living in the five hill districts were safe as all the attacks took place in the valley areas.

“We have taken all possible measures to arrest the attackers and prevent such incidents,” the police said.