Peace rally at Ukhrul against series of blasts
Source: Hueiyen News Service / LS Vin

Ukhrul, January 22 2009: A PUBLIC rally and meeting which were held here today came down heavily on the serial bomb blasts in the Ukhrul town in the recent past besides asking both Assam Rifles troops and NSCN-IM to stop the stand off at Shirui immediately in the public interest by withdrawing their respective personnels.

The Tangkhul Naga Long, the apex body of the Tangkhul community in the district, Tangkhul Shanao Long (Tangkhul Women's Organization), Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (Tangkhul Students' Union), Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (Tangkhul Youth Council) and Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (Tangkhul Naga Heqadmen's Assn) sponsored public rally started from two points "one from the Old Kharasom Junction in the South and the other from Hungpung Dungrei Junction in the north at around 10 in the morning and was gathered at Tangkhul Naga Long Ground, located in the heart of the town.

People taking out peace rally against series of bomb blasts in Ukhrul street

A public meeting which was held after the rally condemning the bomb blasts that took place in the last few days and appealed not to repeat such a terrorizing act by any groups in the peaceful zone of the state.

The meeting also appealed both the 17 Assam Rifles and NSCN-IM to withdraw their stand off stand at Shirui range, around 20 km north of Ukhrul town in the interest of the general public for peaceful co-existence.

It may be noted that Ukhrul District is one of the most peaceful zone in Manipur in the past year.

Unfortunately, three bombs have exploded in the beginning month of the year.

At first,a bomb was lobbed at the residence of a government employee.

After few days, another bomb blast took place on at the residence of one important business man of the town located at the heart of the town on January 16 last.

Another bomb was also exploded at Wino Bazaar on January 19 night at around 9.30 in front of a provision store.Luckily no one was injured as the area was secluded in the night.

The blast, however make a hole at the cement slap in front of the store covering the drain.

The blast occured just two days after the explosion at the building that also housed SIB Office at Wino Bazaar.

Interestingly, the area wherein the blasts occurred on January 16 and 19 happens belongs to the same individual.

Though there was no casualty in all the 3 blasts, the blast had terrorized the general public and has created a panic among the public the town which has been witnessing a peaceful atmosphere since last one decade.

So far no suspect has been arrested by the police,though the security has beefed up in the town.

Regarding the ongoing stand off between the NSCN-IM and Troops of 17 Assam Rifles that had created panic among the public of three villages-Shirui, Choithaa and Langthang since Monday night, the public meeting appealed to withdraw their stand in the interest of the public.