Imphal, October 28 2008: While strongly condemning the killing of two passengers by burning down a tourist bus at Lahorijan, Assam on October 23 by KLO/KLA cadres, the Man League Manipur (MALEM) has questioned the conspicuous silence of the Government when the outfit blatantly violated the Suspension of Operation ground rules.

A press release issued by MALEM asserted that the incident was a potential threat to communal harmony in the State.

It further called upon all civil society organisations of the communities to which perpetrators of such crimes belong to come out at first instant against such crimes instead of condoning them.

Terming it an inhuman act of cowardice, the Universal Mothers' Organisation (UMO) has also joined the condemnation chorus against burning down the bus and killing two passengers just for the sake of some amount of money.

It also appealed to all organisations not to call bandh or general strike on all days till Ningol Chakkouba.

The Thangmeiband and Uripok United Clubs' Organisation (TUCO) has also condemned the arson and killing in the strongest term.

Saying that it was an act of terrorism, TUCO appealed to the Government to take up necessary measures to prevent such inhuman crimes in future.