Gaikhangam lambasts ADC campus blast
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 12, 2013: Outrightly condemning the blast at Autonomous District Council (ADC) Bhavan, Sangakpham yesterday afternoon Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today termed the act as cowardly and unjustifiable.

Taking into account that the Bhavan has a three-layer security mechanism owing to reports about threats and intimidations as well as a powerful blast close to the complex some years back, the Deputy CM said security lapses and ADC functionaries not complying with prescribed security norms cannot be ruled out.

Speaking to newspersons after inspecting the blast site today accompanied by Rajya Sabha MP Rishang Keishing, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Francis Ngajokpa and ADC Ukhrul Chairman John Raleng, Gaikhangam, also the State's Home Minister categorically stated that, however genuine the demand may be, resorting to violence can neither be justified nor will such steps success in achieving the target.

Gaikhangam lambasts ADC campus blast

It may be mentioned that unidentified person(s) exploded a bomb close to the quarters of the Ukhrul ADC chairman, located inside the Bhavan.

However, no was injured in the blast.

Strongly suggesting that with the exception of authorised persons and immediate family members of district councillors, entry of all others into the ADC complex should be prohibited, he also assured to look into whether there was any security lapses.

Observing that despite public sentiment those involved in triggering the blast might not be able to issue a clarification for such acts would be committed only by cowards and ideologically deficient individual/group, Gaikhangam said incidents about armed organisations getting involved or intervening at the level of NGO's activities, district/local organisation elections and in the affairs of villages testify that these groups are betraying the people as well as frustrated.

Highlighting that after a gap of over 20 years, autonomous district councils were revived following intense demands from many section of the society, the Deputy CM noted that the same individuals who advocated revival of the Councils have retreated from their stance and started to voice opposition against the Council for reasons best known to them.

Bomb attack flayed: The Chairmen and members of the Manipur Hills Autonomous District Councils vehemently condemned the blast that occurred at the residence of Ukhrul ADC Chairman yesterday.

Terming the attack as 'barbaric' and 'unethical' which is against development and the people, a statement issued by the Chairmen and ADC members said the chairmen and members of ADCs are nothing but striving hard for grassroots socio-economic development in the hill districts.

It urged all concerned to stay away from such act of barbarism in future.

At the same time, the District Councils Coordinating Committee has also strongly condemned the bomb attack.

The Committee's secretary Hemzathang urged all concerned to refrain from such attacks in future.

Instead of resorting to such attack, any difference could be settled through talks, he said.

Condemning the blast, S Thotasheng, Executive Member of ADC Ukhrul in a separate statement said that any misunderstanding could be settled with love and understanding.

He appealed all concerned to stop the dastardly act in God's name.

NNN adds: The Tangkhul Katamnao Long Imphal (TKLI) strongly condemned the attack and life attempt on the chairman ADC Ukhrul by unidentified miscreants at Shangakpham Imphal at around 3:30 pm on Friday.

The bomb exploded inside the building of chairman's residence.

"We appeal to the perpetrators to openly come out and clarify on the grieveous crime and amend themselves so that peaceful co-existence and all embracing atmosphere prevails in our disturbed land," the Tangkhul students' body said.