MOREH, January 17: A low intensity blast took place near a drain along the main road of Chavangphai village in Moreh Ward No 7, which is situated right near the Gate 4 of 9th Assam Rifles at around 8.15 am this morning. Meanwhile, locals imposed a bandh in the town lasting a brief period in retaliation against the paramilitary who took out their rage at the blast on the innocent civilians.
The location where the remote-controlled blast occurred was inside the compound of Seikham Mate.
Press team who rushed to the site found pieces of the bomb scattered in all directions, including the plastic wrapper and the battery packet. The possible motive and target of the blast could not be determined till now.
However, personnel of the AR came down heavily on the villagers and thrashed many of them during search operation conducted in the aftermath of the blast. In condemnation of the unacceptable and hostile behavior of the security personnel, the villagers took out a condemnation rally and blocked the flow of traffic in Moreh town and along NH-39 just before noon.
Later, leaders of different communities assembled at the Hill Tribal Council office and carried out an extensive discussion on the development following the paramilitary’s aggression.
The meeting reached an agreement to lift the bandh in the interest of the public and it was subsequently relaxed at around 4 pm.
The sudden imposition of bandh resulted in passenger and private vehicle getting stranded at many points including Kondhong Lairembi Khubam and Moreh Bazar parking. It also affected cross border business though the market at Namphalong were opened as usual.
Meanwhile, the Chavangphai Youth Club, Chavangphai Administrative Committee and Kuki Women Human Rights, Chavangphai while condemning the blast in the strongest term said it was totally uncalled for and could pose a threat to the peaceful relation between the villagers and the 9th Assam Rifles.
The chairman of the youth club made a request against repetition of ‘such devilish act in the future’ and asked those responsible to come out with the reason or purpose publicly.
The HTC, Meitei Council, Tamil Sangam, Kuki Students’ Organisation, Moreh and All Community Development Organisation have also condemned the blast and asked the security personnel not to harass and torture innocent public even from instigation by such attacks.
