Anti-blast march taken out
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 28 2008: HUNDREDS OF people tody took out a protest rally decrying the blast at Ragailong here on October 21 which claimed 17 lives and wounded nearly 42 persons.

Placards with slogans like "We strongly condemn terrorist act, killing innocent will never bring solution, Manipur becomes top in killing civilians in India, we want peace," etc.

were carried by the rallyists.

Rallyists wait eagerly while their representatives went to submit memorandum to the Chief Minister

A joint action committee formed in connection with the bomb explosion incident organized the rally.

It originated from Ragailong where the blast took place and marched towards the chief minister's which police blocked them at Palace compound.

Later, a 10 member delegation of the JAC were allowed to call on with the chief minister and submit a memorandum containing certain demands from the state government with regard to the relief measures to the victims of the blast.

Among other, the memorandum demands payment of ex-gratia to the families of the victims, government job opportunities and adequate compensations to the injured people who are treating at different hospitals.

At least 17 persons were killed and more than 42 others seriously injured in explosion of a powerful Improvised Explosive Device, IED, planted by suspected militants near the gate of Ragailong Kabui village (Pandon) gate on the night of October 21 .

The explosion took place while a large gathering including men from the security forces in civil dress and civilians were watching a dice game organized by surrendered militants at 10 separate places at the spot.

The powerful bomb, which state police bomb experts claimed was an IED timer, exploded all of a sudden resulting in the instant killing of 11 persons at the spot and injuring of 42 others.

Six among the injured died later.