Terror attack: Death toll reaches 17, all identified
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 23 2008: Death toll of the powerful bomb blast at Pandon (Ragailong) gate in the night of October 21 has reached 17 .

One of the victims, Pukhrambam Bidyananda alias Naoton (35) s/o Davayenti Devi of Khurai Chingangbam Leikai who had been undergoing treatment at Shija Hospitals and Research Institute succumbed to his injuries this afternoon.

According to family members, Bidyananda was an insurance agent in ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited.

Moreover arrangements had been made for his wedding in December.

He suffered injuries on the head and back.

On the fateful night, he went out with his friend Leishangthem Debendra of Khurai Sajor Leikai.

Debendra was also killed in the bomb blast.

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On the other hand, a large number of people, on learning about the death of Bidyananda, came out to the streets and blocked Imphal-Ukhrul road and also Tinsid road at Lamlong Keithel.

The anguished and shocked people burnt tyres on the road and blocked all vehicular movement.

Even as police managed to persuade the agitating people to stop burning tyres on the roads late afternoon, they could not open the roads for vehicular movement.

After post mortem examination at RIMS morgue, the corpse of Bidyananda was taken to his Khurai residence amidst a procession.

On the other hand, the identity of the 16th victim who remained unidentified till yesterday has been established.

He was one Mahongnao Kingphapam (42) s/o late MH Vayi of Singta village of Phungyar sub-division, Ukhrul district.

He was working as a Chowkidar at Kingsway English School, Sanjenthong.

With completion of post mortem at RIMS, the corpse has been claimed by family members today.

On the other hand, a protest sitting participated by people of different communities was staged at Pandon village gate today in denunciation of the bomb blast which claimed 17 lives besides injuring scores of others.

Talking to media persons at the protest venue, chairperson of the Ragailong Women Society Gona Thaimei said, "We will never forget the incident of killing so many innocent people at the village gate while at the same time demeaning us for brewing liquor".

One Gayatri Chakravarty, a housewife said, "Being outsiders, we don't know anything but the incident was most unfortunate.

The Government should give adequate compensation to the families of the deceased and to all those injured".