Imphal, Oct. 31: International border trade between India and Myanmar through the border township of Moreh in Manipur was halted today following a shutdown of the town called by traders to protest the killing of a shopkeeper on Saturday.

Unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle fired at a shop at Moreh ward 4 on Saturday evening, injuring the owner, 36-year-old Dharmendra Kumar and his wife Chand Devi, 32.

After being administered first aid at a local hospital, the couple were shifted to Imphal after their condition worsened. The shopowner died at a hospital here yesterday while his wife is still undergoing treatment.

Police sources said the suspected militants fired at the shop and escaped, taking advantage of the Diwali fireworks at the market. No one has been arrested so far.

The incident triggered protests from the trading community in the town as well as local residents.

The Moreh Chamber of Commerce called a strike from 6am to 6pm today at the border town, 109km here, to protest the incident and demand arrest of the culprits. Following the strike, no one crossed border gates 1 and 2, the two main gates, for trading.

"All shops remained closed and vehicles stayed off the road. There was no report of any untoward incident during the strike. The strike severely hit border trade," a resident of Moreh said over phone.

As a result of the strike, Myanmar's Namphalong market across Moreh remained more or less shut.

Namphalong is the major trading point for all kinds of goods, including electronic items, garments, household and food items, fruits, fish, vegetables and utensils.

Traders here expressed unhappiness as they missed an opportunity to earn extra during the Meiteis' ningol chakkouba festival.

Ningol chakkouba is a festival that celebrates love for the family. During the daylong festival, married daughters visit their parents, along with their children, and enjoy sumptuous feasts with the family.

Presents by parents and brothers to their visiting sisters include items from Myanmar like blankets, plastic containers and electronic items.

"I ordered merchandise to give away as presents during the festival. But these could not reach Imphal today because of the strike," said Rashi Devi, a trader in Imphal.

No vehicles left the town for Imphal today as a result of the strike.

The Hill Tribal Council based at Moreh also condemned the firing.