TERROR STRIKES: 17 killed in blast near Cdos barrack
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 21 2008: At least 17 people including surrendered militants and civilians were killed when a powerful bomb suspected to be fitted to a Luna moped exploded near the high security Ragailong gate today at about 7.30 pm under Imphal West police.

Eleven were killed at the spot while 2 passed away at RIMS and another two at Shija Hospital.

The four killed in the terror attack are identified as Konthoujam Roben alias Meiraba (28) of Nambol Awang Jiri, a surrenderee, declared brought dead at RIMS; Khurshid Alam (41), a tailor by profession and hailing from Madhubani district of Bihar (passed away at RIMS); Ram Babu (17) son of Ugghra of Bihar, died at the spot and Raju Prasad (20) son of Vaidyanath of Buxar district, Bihar and staying at Ragailong.

Mangled torsos of the blast victims, the injured at hospitals, CM visiting the victims, grieving family members comforting each other sum up the story of the terror attack at Ragailong

Chief Minister O Ibobi who visited the dead and injured at RIMS said that the attack was an act of cowardice and assured that the Government will pay adequate compensation to the dead and injured.

The Government will not take things lying down, he asserted.

The blast site was strewn with mangled and mutilated bodies and blood and human flesh were scattered all over.

Bare torsos, putrid smell of human flesh and cries of despair greeted this reporter when he arrived at the spot.

About five bodies, blown to pieces were seen lying together in a heap outside the gate of Ragailong.

Another two were seen inside the gate towards the Ragailong village.

Cries and screams rend the air as frantic people searched among the remains of human flesh to see if any of their beloved ones were among those felled by the explosion.

Asmat Ara a young housewife told this reporter that she heard a loud explosion followed by cries and screams of pain and anguish and without a thought for her own safety rushed out to look for her husband.

Her husband Khurshid Alam was found in a pool of blood and he was rushed to RIMS where he passed away shortly.

S Anand who was more fortunate and escaped with a minor injury said he was taking a walk after dinner when he heard a loud report and then saw the mangled bodies.

DGP Y Joykumar accompanied by IG (LO-I) and SSP of Imphal West arrived at the spot and took stock of the situation.

He however refused to take any question from the reporters.

Ragailong is a highly fortified area.

To its west is the Commando barrack while to the east is a transit camp of the Assam Rifles while further north there is the 2nd MR complex.

The body count may increase as many are undergoing treatment at different health centres.

At JN hospital out of 16 admitted, 6 are in the ICU while another 13 are battling for life at RIMS.

Five more are at Shija.

A spokesperson of department of propaganda and publicity of PREPAK has denied any hand in the blast.

The BJP has condemned the blast.

Apart from the Chief Minister, Works Minister K Ranjit, Education Minister L Jayenta, IFCD Minister N Biren, MLA Bijoy Koijam and S Keba visited RIMS.