Imphal, February 04: Residents of the Heirok area have strongly condemned the attack yesterday on the residence of ex-minister M Oken in which two persons were killed and four others injured.

A huge public meeting, in which over 7000 residents of the area took part, held at Heirok bazar today took the view that the attack was a politically motivated one, and swore to extract revenge during the elections.

A rifleman of the 7th MR, along with a worker for Oken, who is contesting the forthcoming elections from Heirok Assembly Constituency as a candidate for the Congress, were killed in the attack, while four others, including Oken's personal security officer, were injured.

Castigating the act as brutal and inhuman, participants in the meeting wanted to know if any underground organization was involved, and demanded a public explanation of the reasons behind the attack.

Earlier, following post mortem today at Lilong PHC, several thousands of people took the body of Saikhom Thambalsana, the Congress worker killed in the attack, in a procession around Heirok A/c.In the meantime, following the incident, the local residents stopped all vehicles from entering the Heirok area.

Government sources said that instructions have been issued to the appropriate authorities to tighten security in the Heirok constituency and its adjoining areas.

The sources also said that the police as yet have no clue as to the identity of the attackers.

It may be mentioned that apart from Oken, five other candidates are contesting the forthcoming elections, including N Borchandra of the MSCP, N Muhindro of the CPI, N Sovaleiran of the FPM, M Tombi of the Samata Party, and S Kondum of the MNC.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, has also issued a statement strongly condemning the attack.

While expressing deep sorrow at the loss of life and injury to party workers and security personnel, the statement also appealed to the attackers not to repeat such inhuman acts.