Blast rocks Ukhrul shop, two hurt
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, January 07 2018:
Two persons were hurt in a grenade blast at Raj grocery store Phungreitang, Ukhrul yesterday.
The two injured persons are salesmen of the shop and identified as Anish Kumar from Kanglatongbi and Vijay Kumar from Bihar.
According to the Manager of the shop Gopal, two unidentified men lobbed a hand grenade at the shop while the salesmen were readying to shut the shop yesterday at about 5.45 pm.
The grenade landed between bags of potatoes, flour and tin somewhat minimising the intensity of the impact of the blast.
The blast damaged the counter of the shop, ghee tin, glasses etc besides injuring the two persons who were immediately rush to district hospital, Ukhrul.
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The explosion injured the right foot of Anish while Vijay suffered minor injuries on his thigh.
Both are out of danger.
The blast has evoked strong condemnations from the people.
Today, members of Ukhrul District Autonomous Council (UADC) led by Chairman Dickson visited the shop and interacted with the victims and the owner of the house.
UADC also extended financial assistance to the injured persons.
The UADC, Hunphun/Ukhrul VAs, Hindu Samaj Ukhrul, Western Tangkhul Villages Association (TNZL) have strongly condemned the cowardly act.
Briefing newsmen, spokesperson of UADC Paothing said that the bomb blast is a heinous crime and urged the organizations/individuals responsible to shun violence in future.
Chairman UADC Dickson recalled the incident of 2015 at Viewland bazar in which a former TSL president and her niece were killed on the spot.
He further said resorting to violence cannot be the solution and urged all not to disturb the peace of the town.
Headman in-charge of Hunphun/Ukhrul village HA Haoreingam condemned the blast and said that bomb culture will not be tolerated in Ukhrul.
Any problem or issue has to be resolved through peaceful negotiations for ensuring the security of all.
Manager of the shop said that he has received no demand letter neither has any problem or issue with any organization! They had been smoothly running the business in the town for many years.
The Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL) also held a sit in protest at Ukhrul town yesterday.
Interestingly in the last week of December last year, the publicity secretary of Volunteers for the Innocent People of Naga (VIPN) S Shirat had served a 'final warning to all non Naga shop owners, Naga or non Naga pharmacists, owners of taxis and heavy vehicles operating at Ukhrul district, for not reporting to the top office of the party' .
VIPN had also warned that non locals will not be allowed to open shops at Ukhrul district and the rent owners will be held responsible if their houses blow up.