Imphal, March 19 2009: All shops, pharmacies including the hospital itself remained closed for the day registering a strong protest against the bomb blast that took place in front of the Shubha hospital and Assisted Reproductive Centre, Imphal last night which inflicted severe injuries to at least four people including two women.

The Kombirei Keithel located next to the hospital and opposite to RIMS Hospital also closed down as a mark of strong condemnation to the terror attack at the hospital premise.

All the four people injured in the blast that took place at around 7.40 pm last night were pharmacists and running pharmacy shops on the side of the hospital which specially deal with the delivery cases.

The condition of the two brothers Ibomcha and his elder brother Allen are still in serious with Ibomcha's condition critical.

They are treating at the Shija Hospital where they were referred from RIMS hospital, hospital sources said.

Ibomcha who was hit by the splinter at his chest was operated last night itself and due to badly damage one kidney has been taken out.

He is still at the ICU room with oxygen, the source said.

Attack at the hospital premises and causing fear and panics to the people is acts of terrorists, said the participants in the sit-in protest that was staged today in front of the Shubha Hospital and Assisted Reproductive Centre where the blast took place.

"Don't indulge in terrorist act, bombs are not Toy, We condemn blast at the hospital site, we condemn gun culture, Stop intimidating people with guns and bombs," read the slogans displayed at the protest site.

The sit-in protest was carried out by the employees of the hospital, pharmacy shops in the nearby areas, shopkeepers and women vegetables vendors of the Kombirei market.

It commenced from 10 am and went on till 4 pm.

The Shubha Hospital has also been closed down from today by stopping admission of new patients.

Except the emergency operation for delivery case of earlier admitted delivery case, other services of the hospital also suspended from today.

"We don't know the motive behind the bomb attack.

Whatever it may we could not agree with the act," said a staff of the hospital taking part in the protest.

Comment