'NSCN-IM behind Sangakpham blast'
Central govt to be urged to revoke ongoing ceasefire agreement with NSCN-IM: CM
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, August 02 2011: The powerful explosion yesterday noon at Sangakpham in Imphal was a failed attempt by NSCN-IM at targeting members of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) who are housed in a nearby guest house complex, said Chief Minister, O Ibobi while talking to media persons on Tuesday, a day after the terrorist act that killed four innocent civilians and an alleged NSCN-IM cadre while injuring seven others.

He also stated that the state government will urge the Central government to revoke the ongoing decade-long ceasefire agreement with NSCN-IM.

This statement of the Chief Minister echoed Union Home Minister P Chidambaram who blamed the NSCN-IM for yesterday's blast.

In a press communique, the state Home Department said, "Government of Manipur has received concrete and convincing evidence which establishes the direct involvement of NSCN-IM in the series of recent violent incidents which left several innocent civilians dead and many seriously injured in various parts." The Home Department noted one Anthony, son of Bonkulung of Sadu Koireng killed in yesterday's blast is an active NSCN-IM cadre.

The Bajaj scooter used in yesterday's blast was from Dimapur bearing registration number NL-01E/1394 and owned by one K Daniel Angami, son of K Angami hailing from Diphupar in Dimapur, according to CM, O Ibobi.

The government of Manipur said that it has received concrete and convincing evidence which establishes the direct involvement of the NSCN-IM in the series of recent violent incidents.

It also said that the state government is seriously considering taking up the matter with the Central government to revoke the ceasefire with NSCN-IM due to these continuous and open acts of terrorism being committed by the outfit.

The powerful blast in front of a hair saloon at a crowded place at Sangaipham yesterday afternoon instantly killed four innocent and unsuspecting civilians, including a father-son duo and two 10-year old girls in school uniforms and a NSCN-IM cadre.

A torso found ripped from the limbs while other parts lay in a pool of blood was suspected to be the NSCN-IM cadre.

"The blast at Sangakpham also killed Anthony, son of Bonklung of Sadu Koireng, an active cadre of NSCN-IM as per the highly reliable intelligence inputs," stated the Home Department in a press handout today.

Chronicling the recent events, the Home Department said on April 15, 2011 an ambush was laid by NSCN-IM on the convoy of Phungyar MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing in which eight Manipur police escort personnel were killed and seven others sustained critical injuries while the MLA made a narrow escape.

On May 28, 2011 a powerful bomb blast was carried out in Khuman Lampak complex in which three persons sustained injuries, apparently with the intention to target members and officials of district councils which was functioning from there due to threats held out by NSCN-IM, said the Home Department statement.

Again, on July 9, 2011 a bomb was detected in a scooter parked at Sangakpham market which too was aimed at the ADC guest house complex nearby.

On July 24, 2011 NSCN-IM killed a couple at Lungphu village in Ukhrul district and openly claimed responsibility while also carrying out a grenade attack on the MDC office at Ukhrul the day before that on July 23, 2011, noted the statement.

Initial investigations into Monday's Sangakpham blast indicate that the blast took place when the said Anthony was on the two wheeler in which the explosive (IED) was planted.

This indicates his inexperience in handling explosives, the statement added.

Apparently, the explosion occurred moments after some vehicles of ADC members went past the blast site.

The blast was reportedly aimed at members of Autonomous District Councils who are housed in a nearby guest house complex of district councils, added the Home Department statement.

The government stated that these acts of terror are quite clearly designed to thwart the democratic process taken up be the government of Manipur to introduce democratic decentralization by successfully conducting elections to the six district councils which had remained dormant for over two decades.

The Ibobi government has termed these acts as cowardly and savage and said "Government of Manipur will fight all evil designs of the NSCN-IM perpetrating these terrorist acts" .

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