Imphal: A series of arson incidents marred violence-hit Manipur hours after the intense bomb blast that occurred at All Manipur Students Union, (AMSU) Head Office situated inside DM University Campus in Imphal West district on Friday evening.
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The bomb explosion left one 5th Semester Student of DM College of Science dead and his batch mate injured. The explosion occurred at around 9:20pm. The deceased student is identified as 24-year-old Oinam Kenegy, Son of Oinam Ingocha from Upokpi, Bishnupur District and the injured student is identified as 24-year-old Salam Michael, Son of Salam Ibomcha from Keibul Lamjao, Bishnupur District. They were rushed to Raj Medicity at North AOC in Imphal. However, Oinam Kenegy succumbed to his injuries at the hospital around 1 AM. Salam Michael who had sustained injury on his leg is currently out of danger.
Preliminary investigation by police suggests that the high intensity bomb must have been pre-planted. Manipur Police has registered a case. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack till the time of filing this report.
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Locals, students bodies and civil bodies have condemned the bomb blast at DM University Campus. JAC formed against the death of Oinam Kenegy has refused to claim the body of the student until the perpetrators are booked within 48-hours. His mother remained inconsolable upon the untimely and tragic death of her son.
Within hours of the bomb blast incident at DM University Campus, unidentified miscreants burnt down the office of United Committee Manipur (UCM) located at Lamphel in Imphal West District around 1AM. Several important documents related to 2001 June Uprising and Indo-Myanmar bordering fencing land disputes reportedly kept in the office were gutted down by the fire. The Manipur Fire Services team reportedly arrived and doused the flame from spreading further but by that time the fire had already caused the damage. It may be mentioned that COCOMI office is also inside the same building.
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Meanwhile, United Committee Manipur (UCM) leaders and members have condemned the burning down of UCM office. They have demanded immediate arrest of the perpetrators. Speaking to media at Manipur press club on Saturday, UCM President Joychandra Konthoujam and UCM Former President Yumnamcha Dilipkumar strongly condemned the arson incident. According to UCM President, more than Rs. 5 Lakhs kept in the office for the purpose of construction of a new office of UCM was also found missing in the incident. Terming the incident as barbaric, they expressed disappointment that they were not given any chance for clarification or dialogue by the perpetrators before burning their office. The UCM leaders also slammed the state intelligence for failing to avert the incident and demanded immediate arrest of the perpetrators.
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In another arson incident, unidentified miscreants tried to burn down the office of Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) located at Pureiromba Khongnangmakhong in Palace Compound in the wee hours of Saturday. Timely arrival of fire tender saved the office from completely burning down, however, several documents and other items of the office were already destroyed. Reportedly, four office bearers of CADA including CADA Vice President and General Secretary have been abducted by the perpetrators.
In yet another arson incident, unknown miscreants vandalised the residence of North East Students Organisation (NESO) General Secretary Sinam Prakash located at Keishampat Junction in Imphal West District. Unidentified miscreants also set ablaze two vehicles, a Maruti Van and a two-wheeler reportedly parked in front of United People’s Front (UPF) Office in Keishampat, Imphal West last night.
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And in yet another incident, unidentified miscreants also set the office of Macha Leima in Palace Compound on fire before looting cash reportedly amounting Rs 50,000/- and several other properties including laptops, computers, printers and LPG cylinders kept in the office and its premises around midnight on Friday.
Notably, till late Saturday evening, incumbent Chief Minister of Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren is yet to comment on any of the incidents either through a press conference or on any of his social media posts. Meanwhile, talks are going round that the series of arson incidents must have been well planned.
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