Condemnations galore against blast 48 hr gen strike on
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 12 2015: The All Manipur Minorities Students' Union (AMMSU) has announced a 48-hour State-wide general strike beginning from this (Thursday) midnight in connection with the killing of a student, Salman Khan in the blast that occurred at the crowded Khwairamband Keithel yesterday.

Addressing a press meet today at Manipur Press Club, president of AMMSU Sahid Nawaz Khan said that Ipham Salman Khan (20) of Kshetri Awang Leikai, a BA second semester student of Modern College was among the victims killed in yesterday's blast at Khwairamband Keithel.

Salman Khan was working as a salesman at a shop in Khwairamband Keithel to help his poor parents support the family, Nawaz said.

He said that the AMMSU would enforce a 48-hour State-wide general strike with effect from this midnight.

He further said that students appearing for the CBSE board exams would be exempted from the purview of the strike apart from religious, emergency services and the media.

Demanding the Govt to immediately arrest the perpetrators of the crime, the AMMSU also urged the group/individual concerned to clarify at the earliest.

At the same time, the All Manipur Muslim Girl Students' Union also endorsed the strike call.

Meanwhile hundreds of people carried out mass protest in and around Kshetri Bengoon and Khergao area condemning the blast which occurred on February 11 at the temporary market shed of Khwairamband Keithel which claimed three lives and injured 21 people.

A mass rally was carried out from Kshetrigao along with local MLA Amin Shah and the protesters went to meet the Chief Minister of Manipur.

The protesters were stopped by a team of Imphal East Police near Imphal East DC office and later selected members were allowed to meet the Deputy CM Gaikhangam.

The 'JAC against the Killing of Epham Salman Khan in the Bomb Blast' has strongly condemned the bomb blast.

At a press meet held at Kshetri Awang Leikai today, the JAC asked the Government to provide proper security for the public and also clarify whether there were any security lapses in the blast area.

Convenor of the JAC, SMA Quddus said that the JAC has submitted a memorandum to the Dy CM of Manipur asking the Government to pay ex-gratia of Rs 5,00,000 to the family of late Epham Salman Khan.

Furthermore, the memorandum asked the Government to provide a suitable job to the victim family as he was the sole bread earner of the family.

Quddus added that State authorities should trace those involved in the blast and necessary action should be taken up as soon as possible.

"If the demands of the JAC prove to be futile due to incompetence of the Government, we would not take the dead body until and unless the Government fulfils the same demands", said Quddus.

Students Union of Modern College condemned the blast which killed their fellow colleague Epham Salman Khan and said that the college student community would support any form of agitation carried out by the JAC.

On the other hand, womenfolk of Top Khongnangkhong staged a sit in protest and blocked the road condemning the blast which killed three people.

The sit in protest was organized by Social Upliftment Organization, Muslim Women Welfare Association, Top Khongnang Makhong Maning Leikai Nupisingi Lamjing Lup and Top Dushera Nupi Samaj.

Secretary of Social Upliftment Organization Hamida Begum said that the recent series of bomb blasts have bred deep fear psychosis among the public and the Government should do something at the earliest to stop such inhuman acts carried out by some elements.

Social Welfare Association of Khergao Thambalkhong Makha Leikai also staged a sit in protest and blocked the Khergao Ayangpalli road.

Youth Voluntary Association, Yumkhaibam Athletic Development Association, Khergao Mayai Leikai Muslim Women's Welfare Association, ICWC and Athletic Brother Association showed their support to the protest held today.

Later in a press meet called by All Manipur Muslim Organization Co-ordinating Committee (AMMOCOC), AMMSO, UMMWDO, MMWO, PSO and MSA at Press Club today, spokesperson of AMMOCOC Wahidur Rehman strongly condemned the blast which killed three persons and injured 21 innocent civilians.

He added that the trend of killing innocent civilians has crossed the limit.

" The bomb blast in such a high security zone shows that there are certain signs of security lapses", said Rehman.

Referring to the recent comments of the Dy CM that there was no security lapses despite series of bomb blasts, Wahidur Rehman said that he (Gaikhangam) should give up the post of Home Minister on moral ground as his assertions have turned out to be totally wrong.

All the organizations which took part in the press meet said that they would support any action taken up by the JAC and other CSO's and other forms of agitation would be launched if the government fails to bring out the culprits at the earliest.

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