IMPHAL, November 4: Various communities residing in Major Khul and surrounding areas have come out strongly against the recent series of bomb blast in the heart of Imphal city.
Condemning the violence, the communities hold a sit-in-protest at Major Khul today. The demonstration was participated by people from the Kabui, Marwari, Punjabi, Bihari, Muslim and Meitei communities and appealed for peace and harmony in the state.
The vice-chairman of the Imphal Municipal Council Thambaljao Paomei appealed to all concerned against creating fear psychosis amongst the general public on the eve of Ningol Chak Kouba which is a big festival of all Manipuri communities residing in both the hills and valley.
There has been statement on the series of blasts, and it remains unclear as to whether the series of blast was triggered by non-state or state actors, and as such the people is being kept in a confused state, he lamented.
Carrying out of such acts of violence in crowded places is inhumane and should not be repeated again, said Thambaljao.
The sit-in-protest which started at 8 am was supposed to continue till 4 pm but was stopped prematurely at noon in the interest of the general public of Manipur in view of the Ningol Chak Kouba, he stated.
A woman protestor observed, “The festival of Ningol Chak Kouba is celebrated throughout the state and comes only once a year. So, in the interest of public, we have decided to conclude the protest earlier than intended, she said.
Meanwhile, shops in and around the area remained closed to show strong condemnation of the series of blast.