Bandhs over Imphal blast begin
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 12 2015: An indefinite State wide bandh has been called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) to protest against the bomb blast which killed Md Ipham Salman Khan after the Manipur Government reportedly failed to respond to JAC's request to discuss its demands on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a 48-hour State wide parallel bandh beginning Thursday midnight has been announced by the All Manipur Minorities Students' Union (AMMSU) to denounce Wednesday' bomb blast at Imphal Khwairamband temporary market shed that claimed three persons including a student besides injuring 24 others.

"We've taken serious note of Wednesday's blast.

It was a cruel act," AMMSU president Nawaj Khan told reporters at the Press Club here.

He announced that AMMSU has called a 48-hour State wide general strike from the midnight of Thursday to protest against the bomb blast.

Women organising a sit-in-protest against Imphal bomb blast

Khan informed that media, medical and religious activities, and water supply will be exempted from the purview of the strike.

All educational institutions will be covered by the strike, he further announced.

Khan warned that unwanted incidents could take place if school and colleges are found opened during the strike.

He said Md Ipham Salman Khan (20), son of Islamuddin of Kshetri Bengoon Awang Leikai in Imphal East, who was killed in the blast was a BA Semester-II student of Modern College, Porompat.

Late Salman Khan was also working as a salesman in a shop, he said.

Nawaj Khan demanded the group to clarify the blast at the earliest.

He also blamed the Home Department for the incident stating that it took place right in the heart of Imphal city where security is given top priority round the clock.

He demanded the Manipur Government to provide relief to the next of kin within five days.

The AMMU leader said that installation of CCTV cameras in Khwairamband area can avoid unwanted incidents.

Pangal Political Forum (PPF) has decided to extend support to the proposed 48-hour strike call given by AMMSU.

In the meantime, JAC against the killing of Md Ipham Salman Khan in the blast convenor Quddus said the Manipur Government was not ready to hold a meeting with the JAC to discuss its demands till the 6 pm, a deadline set by the JAC.

Quddus said this was the reason why the JAC has called for an indefinite State wide bandh with immediate effect.

He announced this at a press meet at Top Khongnangkhong Makha Leikai in Imphal East.

The demands of the JAC include payment of Rs 5 lakh as ex-gratia to the family of Salman Khan besides providing a Government job and arresting all perpetrators involved in his killing to give stringent punishment as per the law.

The JAC has also pledged it will not claim the body of Salman Khan until the demands are met by the Government.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of people, mostly from Kshetri Bengoon Awang Leikai, held a protest rally.

The rally was kicked off from the residence of late Salman Khan around 9 am.

Police personnel blocked the rally near Porompat water Supply.

The protesters said they were heading towards the Chief Minister's bungalow to submit a memorandum to the CM.

Later, the police allowed a group of protestors to submit the memorandum to Chief Minister O Ibobi.

Angry protestors also blocked a road stretch from Kongpal Thongkhong to Top Khongnangkhong over the death of Salman Khan.

They burned tyres on the road.

Reports said some 16 Muslim organisations have extended support to the call for strike.

Many organizations condemn blast All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), United Muslims Council, Manipur (UMCM), Committee on Human Rights (COHR), Manipur, CPI (M-L) Liberation, Manipur State Committee, Kangmong Nupi Angangi Yaipha Lup, All Manipur Nupi Marup and kanglei Chanura Chaokhat Lamching Lup (KANGLEICHAL) on Thursday condemned Wednesday's bomb blast at Imphal's Khwairamband temporary market.