Imphal, December 24: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today gave away ex-gratia amount of Rs one lakh each to the next of kins of six of the eight people who were killed in the Pourabi bomb blast.

At least eight persons including five women died and over thirty were injured when the bus they were travelling in was ripped apart a by powerful bomb planted at Pourabi area along the Imphal-Pourabi route around 13 kilometers from Imphal on December 16. Nine seriously injured persons are undergoing treatment at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims).

Amid a tearful scene Okram handed over the amount to the family members of Oinam Boby Singh, Singam Surbala Chanu, Singam Inao Chanu, Singam Premananda Singh, Soibam Boby Singh and Khangembam Ibemcha Devi at his official secretariat.

Incidentally Oinam Boby was the personal driver of Congress MLA Thokchom Lokeshor Singh of Khundrakpam constituency.

Before the return of the Chief Minister from New Delhi the State Government had given such amount to the families of two blast victims namely L Devika Devin and Hijam Ibethoi Devi earlier.

The banned Revolutionary Peoples� Front (RPF) had claimed responsibility for planting the bomb but said that the security forces set it off after the latter apprehended two Peoples� Revolutionary Army (PLA) cadres (its armed wing) who were involved in planting the explosive.

Condemning the incident as an act of cowardice, the Chief Minister said all out efforts would be made to nab the attackers and punish them according to law.

He also assured to extend maximum help to the victims� families.

Though the Government has no specific rules to offer Government jobs to the victims� family �certain considerations would be made to recruit them in the State forces �, he said.

The Government would also give monetary aid to the injured ones.