NIA team studies Nagamapal blast, migrant workers in a state of shock
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 15 2013:
To take stock of the bomb blast at a work shed at the slabs over the Naga Nullah, a team of NIA sleuths led by SP, Devajit Hazarika, Guwahati arrived at Imphal yesterday and left today.
Talking to The Sangai Express, DGP MK Das said that the NIA team has taken a first hand account of the blast that killed nine labourers and left Imphal today.
To a query, the DGP said that for the NIA to take over the case, the State Government has to first approach the Union Home Ministry.
As reported earlier, the DGP confirmed that the blast was not triggered by an IED but by a hand grenade, a grenade more powerful than the conventional ones.
Meanwhile the State Government has opened a relief camp for migrant labourers at Dharmasala here, as one of the measures taken up for the safety and security of non-locals.
Migrant workers have been attacked and targeted in Manipur, especially in Imphal area for the last few years.
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The latest attack left at least nine laborers from Assam killed and eleven others injured when a powerful bomb exploded inside a makeshift camp at Naga Nullah in the heart of Imphal on Friday night.
Eleven others, who sustained splinter injuries, are currently undergoing treatment at Shija Hospital here.
Drawn from different parts of the valley districts, over 160 migrants workers are currently lodged at Dharamsala.
Most of the campers belonging to Bihar, Assam and West Bengal expressed apprehension on staying further in Manipur in the aftermath of the fresh attack.
"The situation is tense and if the attack continues, we have no other options but to leave Manipur," Jalaludin from Silchar said while interacting with this reporter today afternoon.
Jalaluddin (41) , along with nine others are working at a bakery at Mayang Imphal in Imphal West.
Allungir Hussain, an iron scrap collector from West Bengal said Friday's blast has ruined his dream of earning a livelihood in Manipur for his family.
"With hopes and dreams I came to Imphal in July this year.
I earn Rs 200 to 300 per day and my meager earning has somewhat supported my livelihood but the Khoyathong incident has shattered my dream.
Now I'm thinking to go back to my home State," lamented Hussain.
"Money cannot buy life and I can earn money at other places.
We don't want to be the next victim," said Ramuchit Roy, a manual labourer from Bihar's Muzaffapur district.
Roy, who has been staying in Imphal since the last one decade, said he supports his family with his small earning.
Over 60,000 migrant workers are living in rent in Imphal city alone and most of them are porters, petty traders and hawkers.
Following Friday's blast the police have taken up all out measure to protect the non-locals.
Besides intensifying patrolling at all areas where migrant workers are confined, the cops have also urged the migrants not to venture out to distant places and isolated areas.