Two women killed in Ukhrul blast
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, September 18 2014: A powerful IED exploded at Nitu Glass hardware shop, Viewland killing two women besides injuring the proprietor and a salesman of the shop.

The incident occurred in the heart of Ukhrul town at around 5.30 pm yesterday.

The deceased victims have been identified as AS Dinah 42, ex-president of Tangkhul Women League TSL and her cousin Lansophy Tangvah 25, a student of Pettigrew College from Nungbi Khullen.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has strongly condemned the Ukhrul bomb blast of September 17 terming it an inhuman and cowardly act.

"The Government views this attack on innocent civilians very seriously and those responsible for this criminal act will not be spared and taken to task as per the law of the land at the earliest", said a press release issued by the Chief Minister's Secretariat.

The Government also shared the pain and grief being endured by the bereaved families.

The blast site

The Government has also announced ex-gratia of Rs five lakh to the next of kin of the deceased persons, financial assistance of Rs one lakh to victims who suffered grievous injuries and Rs 20,000 to victims who suffered minor injuries as per the norms.

Dinah was administered life saving drug at Ukhrul District Hospital and taken to Imphal but she succumbed to her injuries on the way at Lambui.

Proprietor of the hardware store, Rajendra Choudhury 52, salesman Gudu 36 from Bihar were rushed to CHSRC hospital.

Rajendra suffered splinter injury on the left hip and shoulder while Gudu was hurt on the chest.

Dinah and Lansophy died due to severe injuries on their heads.

In the meantime, 41 AR troops led by Comdt Gaurav Bose rushed to the spot, cordoned off the area to avert further re-occurrence.

Following the blast, tight security vigil has been mounted in most suspected areas.

The 41 AR mobile ambulances took the victims to Shija Hospital early this morning.

Information culled from reliable sources said that, a monetary demand letter of Rs thirty lakh was served to the hardware store three months back.

Monetary demand notes were also served to the Ukhrul Pharmacy Association.

Preliminary investigation of the blast site suggested that electronic IED was planted on the side of the hardware shop.

It was well planned and suspected to be the handiwork of an armed organization.

The bomb was laid by the side of a dustbin with "Meiphao" of the shop.

The explosion killed two passers-by and injured the proprietor and salesman.

The impact and splinter damaged the nearby wall of the adjacent shops.

The district administration expressed regret over the unfortunate incident and reassured maintenance of stringent law and order.

Hrishikeesh Modak DC, Ukhrul stated that he would forward the detailed information to the Government for providing necessary ex-gratia to the bereaved families as well as the injured victims for medical assistance.

Immediate financial assistance was awarded from the side of the district administration.

Even as the district is dominated by NSCN-IM, many other armed organizations like MNPF, MNRF, VIPN, MTRA etc., and RTA (Raphei Tribal Army) have started challenging the might of the NSCN-IM.

Talking to this correspondent, some Ukhrul businessmen/traders said that the culture of monetary demands has aggravated into a very serious issue.

They said they persistently received threat calls before the blast.

The Tangkhul Civil organizations in condemnation against the barbaric act under the aegis of Tangkhul Women League TSL and student body TKS today imposed a total shut down at Ukhrul from 6 am till 6 pm.

Condolence programme was held at TNL hall just after the post mortem.

The Naga apex organization UNC, NWUM, and Naga Women Union, Chandel attended the programme to share their solidarity.