Moreh tensed after blast
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal/Moreh, January 17 2014 : Tension has gripped the border town Moreh after some unidentified armed miscreants triggered a remote-controlled bomb at Chavangphai in Moreh Ward no.7 at around 8.30 am today and pulled up three persons in this regard by the Assam Rifles.

The blast took place inside a makeshift bathroom located inside the courtyard of one Seikam Mate just as a patrol party of 9 Assam Rifles was about to get through the the site.

None was hurt in the blast.

The blast site is situated some 130 metres from 9 Assam Rifles post and just a little over 1 km from Moreh Police station.

The Assam Rifles personnel pulled up three men fleeing from the site in panic just after the blast.

On seeing the three being held by the security personnel, the villagers intervened and tried to stop them from taking them away, thus, resulting in a scuffle.

Despite the villagers' insistence that the three were innocent civilians and residents of the village, the security personnel whisked them away.

People take out a rally to protest the Chavang Veng blast

Enraged over the incident, a large number of protesters gathered in the area and blocked the Indo-Myanmar road for 12 hours demanding the security personnel to free the arrested trio.

They also held a protest rally demanding immediate release of the trio.

The protestors also damaged some vehicles, including cars and vans during the protest.

As the protest intensified, the Assam Rifles released the three villagers later in the afternoon.

Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) along with several other organisations had also called to impose an indefinite bandh along Indo-Myanmar road but by 4 pm, the bandh was reportedly lifted after a meeting of all communities held at Hill Tribal Council (HTC), Moreh.

Reports said scores of people were detained in the course of combing operation conducted by the personnel of 9 Assam Rifles in the aftermath of the blast.

However, no clue has been established as which group could have been responsible for the blast.

Meanwhile, several Moreh-based organisations have come out strongly against the bomb blast in inhabited area.

In a joint statement signed by Chairman of Chavangphai Youth Club Seikholen Mate, Chavangphai Administrative Committee (CAC), Chavangphai Youth Club (CYC), Kuki Women Union and Human Rights (KWUHR), Chavangphai unit described the bomb blast in inhabited area as barbaric and observed that such inhumane act, which could mislead the peaceful relation between the 9 Assam Rifles and the local dwellers in particular is uncalled for and such devilish act should not be repeated in future.

The joint statement also demanded all those behind the blast to come out with an explanation to the people at the earliest possible.

Hill Tribal Council, Meetei Council, Tamil Sangam, All Community Development Organisation, Kuki Women Union and Human Rights and Kuki Students' Organisation, Moreh have also condemned the bomb blast in the strongest term and said that it was a barbaric act that could be committed by cowards only.

In a joint statement, General Secretary of Meetei Council, Moreh N Inaocha; General Secretary of Hill Tribal Council, Moreh Manglinlien Singson; General Secretary of All Community Development Organisation Th Budha Meitei; General Secretary of Tamil Sangam, Moreh K Subramaniam; Vice President of Kuki Women Union & Human Rights Lucy Haokip and General Secretary of Kuki Students' Organsiation (KSO), Moreh Block Lalhnetsang Hmar demanded whoever behind the blast to be bold enough to declare their identity and intention.

While appealing to all concerned not to repeat such activities and disturb the peaceful atmosphere of Moreh, the joint statement also pointed out that it is against the spirit of peaceful co-existence among the people of the border town.

So, the Government also on its part ought to find and nab the perpetrators immediately.

It is important for the government to prove its governance, the joint statement observed.

Furthermore, all community leaders of Moreh have appealed to the security forces not to torture or harass the innocent public when such incidents occurred.