Bodies condemn blast, burning of offices
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 27 2024: Various civil society organisations have condemned the bomb attack at the office of a students' organisation inside DM University campus, which left a student dead, burning offices of some organisations and destroying properties.

Addressing media persons at on Saturday, Taragi Cheisu chairman Khaidem Mani said that in addition to triggering explosion at office of the student body that claimed the life of a student, offices of some organisations were set ablaze and properties destroyed.

Expressing remorse that such incidents occurred at a time when the state is passing through a crisis situation for the last 10 months and people are suffering, he appealed to all concerned to ensure such unwanted incidents do not recur in future.

Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Sinpanglup (AIMS) also condemned the bomb attack and death of a student named Oinam Kenejy and injuries suffered by another.

The student body also condemned torching of the UCM office, which also served as temporary office of COCOMI, and office of Macha Leima.

Such acts, which create sense of insecurity among the students and demoralise organisations working for welfare of the public, should not be repeated in future by any group or organisation, it added.

Students' Union of Kangleipak (SUK) and Manipur Youth and Students' Union, in separate releases, also condemned the incident in the strongest terms.

SUK also shared the grief and sorrow of the bereaved family of Oinam Kenejy.

Joining the condemnation chorus, Federation of Civil Society Organisation (FOGS) demanded that the government act swiftly, book and punish the culprits involved as per law of the land.

FOCS also condemned assault on a media person staying in a rented quarter adjacent to office of MAPI Council at Wangkhei Keithel Ashangbi by unidentified persons on Friday night.

Mention may be made that in at-least three arson attacks in different parts of Imphal on Friday night, extensive damages were caused to offices of a student body and civil societies.

Unknown miscreants set fire to the UCM office near Lamphel Traffic Point, Macha Leima office at Palace Compound under Porompat PS and vandalised the office of MAPI Council at Wangkhei Keithel Ashangbi.

Unknown miscreants also dragged out Image TV correspondent Nongthombam Kumar, who had rented a room at the office building of MAPI Council, and brutally thrashed him.

They then set on fire his personal belongings.

After receiving reports of the fire incidents, teams of the police stations concerned along with Manipur Fire Services teams rushed to the spots and tried to extinguish the flames.

While condemning the bomb blast at the office of the student body as well as torching of offices of civil society organisations, women organisations observed that such incidents are akin to shooting oneself in the foot.

In connection with the series of incidents on Friday night, leaders of prominent women organisations namely Nupi Samaj, AMKIL, Tammi Chingmi, NIMPAL, NLANL, ANUL, Thoubal Ima, Khwairamband Phouoibi Ima Keithel Vendor's Welfare Union, Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Semgat Sagat Lup and Echal convened a press meet at AMKIL office located at Uripok on Saturday.

Addressing media persons, AMKIL president Lourembam Nganbi appealed both groups in dispute, if any, to step back so that such incidents do not recur in future.

Amidst the difficult times when outsiders are inciting hatred among the indigenous communities, such incidents were extremely unfortunate, Nganbi said.

While urging government to take initiatives to prevent such incidents in future, Nganbi said compensation should be provided to the deceased student as well as for damages caused to offices of several offices.

Meanwhile, National Identity Protection Council (NIPCO) and North East Students' Organisation denounced the bomb blast at the office of a student organisation leading to death of one student and injuring another and also denounced the vandalism including arson on the offices of several civil society organisations including UCM, Macha Leima, Nupi Samaj, UPF, NIPCO, CADA and Nongpok Leingak Apunba Nupi Lup.

They also denounced the act of vandalism at the residence of one Sinam Prakash at Keishampat Keisham Leikai and the assault on the journalist Nongthombam Kumar.

They urged all concerned not to repeat such acts in future.

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