Imphal, October 22 2008: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has assured ex-gratia payments and Government jobs to next of kins of those killed by the powerful bomb blast at Ragailong last evening besides financial assistance to those wounded in the same incident.

The assurance was intimated to a delegation of Ragailong (Pandon) and nearby residents who met the Chief Minister today.

In denunciation of the bomb blast at Ragailong that claimed 16 lives and injured scores, residents of Ragailong today submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

Contrary to the number of deceased persons put at 17 by most daily newspapers today, official figure of the death toll currently stands at 16 .

People of Khurai also came out on the streets and blocked the road at Lamlong bazar to condemn the blast.

A large number of Ragailong residents along with people of nearby residential areas under the aegis of Ragailong Pei, Ragailong Women's Society and Youth Club (Ragailong) trooped out of Ragailong to hand over the memorandum to the Chief Minister.

The protestors were stopped at Khoyathong this morning by security personnel with only a few select individuals allowed to proceed to meet the Chief Minister.

among others those allowed to meet and hand over the people's representation included Councillors of Imphal Municipal Council M Majaguilu (W/N 26), L Memma (W/N 23) and Karanchanglu (W/N 24), and secretary of Zeliangrong Women's Society (Manipur Valley) Kanetlu Dangmei.

The memorandum impressed upon the CM to pay relevant ex-gratia amount to family members of the deceased and Government jobs to next of kins besides providing financial assistance and bear treatment expenditure of the injured.

On their return from the Chief Minister's residence a massive sit-in-protest was organised at Ragailong wherein the protestors put up/displayed banners inscribed 'We condemn barbaric action in public places', 'Bomb is not the solution in the society', 'We want peace, not bomb', 'Such attack must not be repeated in this peaceful village'.

Interacting with newspersons at the protest site, president of Ragailong Women's Society Tona Thaimei stated that in the aftermath of the deadly blast playing dice in and around Ragailong area has been totally prohibited with immediate effect.

Instead of banning the game of dice or detaining individuals found playing security personnel extract their share of the money thereby amounting to patronising gambling (dice) regularly witnessed at near the southern entrance of Ragailong village since the Durga Pujah festival.

On the otherhand, Councillor M Majaguilu strongly condemning those involved in triggering the blast demanded clarification by all concerned in whether the attack was against the people of Ragailong or aimed at security facility/personnel.

Ragailong is located close to both state and para-military security facility.

It is pertinent to mention that security personnel, especially State police force had been dispersing people found playing the game of dice in residential areas in addition to impounding materials.

Playing dice is very common here in the State during festive seasons particularly when the festival of light (deepavali) and Ningol Chakkouba approaches.

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