Imphal, October 27 2008: Condemning the ghastly act of setting on fire a bus killing two passengers namely Robert Golmei and Gimphailiu by KLO/KLA at Karbi Anglong, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) has said that it would never condone such act of terror by any UG group which takes up arms in the name of Kuki people.

This foolish and irrational act of the so called revolutionaries ought to be condemned in the strongest term, information and publicity secretary of KIM P Lupheng said in a statement, adding that it is very unfortunate for the Kuki people that such an unwanted anti-social militant organisation has taken root in society.

The Inpi sincerely hopes that the gruesome incident does not take any communal tone, it said and urged the Government to take up necessary measures in association with other neighbouring States so as to make the Highway safe for the passengers and to avert incident of similar nature in future.

The Inpi has also strongly condemned the bomb blast incidents that had taken place in different places of Imphal inflicting civilian losses and casualties during the past few weeks.

Killing people in such heinous ways only reflect the criminal outlook of the UG groups concerned and would never help in furthering their causes, if they have any, Lupheng added, while sharing the grief of all the bereaved families.

All Manipur Bus Owners' Association and All Manipur Petroleum Tanker Drivers' Union have strongly condemned the setting aflame a passenger bus which led to the death of two persons while causing injuries to several others at Naorijan in Karbi Anglong district of Assam by the armed activists of KLO/KLA on the night of October 23 .

Announcing their respective stand of supporting the 12-hour general strike being called in condemnation of the incident from 6 am to 6 pm of October 29, in separate statements, the two organisations have also demanded the Government to pay compensation to the bereaved family members as well as to the injured passengers.

The two organisations have also appealed to all the UG outfits operating in the hill and valley districts of Manipur to ensure such incident do not recur.

Condemning the incident of burning down the passenger bus over monetary demand by KLO/KLA as an act of terrorism, All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) said that remaining as mere spectators to the atrocities committed to the innocent passengers along the National Highways 39 and 53 by the Government of India and Manipu is definitely not the sign of efficient governance.

Demanding to know what steps Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh who is also in charge of Home Department are going to take up against the outfit for its act of atrocities inspite of being a party to the Suspension of Operation, AMSU has also announced its decision of supporting the agitation of the Inter-State Bus Owners Association in this regard.

Describing it as an act of terrorism, Pangal Students' Organisation Manipur have also strongly condemned the incident.

Manipur People's Party has also strongly condemned the incident of burning down a passenger bus and called upon the State Government to ensure the safety and protection of the passengers.