IMPHAL, Aug 2 � Protesting Monday�s Sangakpham Market blast here which claimed five lives, a 12-hour State-wide bandh has been called by All Manipur Students Union(AMSU) from 5 am tomorrow.
AMSU president Thokchom Suresh, announcing this at a press conference here, called upon the State Government to take strong action against the culprits.
Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi accused the NSCN-IM of involvement in Monday�s blast.
Speaking to reporters here this afternoon,Ibobi said that his government has received concrete and convincing evidence establishing the direct involvement of NSCN-IM in the series of recent violent incidents which have left several civilians dead and many seriously injured in various parts of the State.
A suspect � one Anthony of Sadu Koireng � killed in yesterday�s blast, has turned out to be an active NSCN-IM cadre, he added. A non-local barber and his son were among the deceased.
He further accused the NSCN-IM for their direct involvement in six major violent incidents that occurred in the State in the recent past including the ambush on Naga MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing�s car on April 15 last where eight security personnel were killed and seven others injured.
The blast at Sangakpham had killed Anthony, an active cadre of NSCN-IM, said Commissioner Home in a press release. �This indicates his in-experience in handling explosives.�
An initial investigation indicated that the blast which targetted the members of district councils, occurred just after their vehicles passed the spot, it added.
Police have identified the owner of the two wheeler involved in the blast as one K Daniel, a resident of Dimapur.
The Government of Manipur is seriously considering taking up the matter relating to involvement of NSCN-IM in many anti-people acts with the Central Government demanding revocation of ongoing ceasefire due to the continuous and open acts of terrorism being committeed by the outfit, Ibobi said.
He appealed to the people to maintain peace, tranquility and communal harmony so that no misunderstanding is created.
People from Sangakpham locality staged a sit-in demonstration at the blast site on today. The State Government has announced ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh to the next of kin of deceased persons and Rs 75,000 to the persons with permanent disability, Rs 50,000 to seriously injured persons and Rs 10,000 to persons with minor injuries, in addition to free free treatment to all injured persons.
