Rs 1 lakh award for information on temple blast

Imphal, Aug 19: The Manipur government has announced an award of Rs one lakh for information on Wednesday's blast at ISKCON temple here that killed five persons, including two boys and a girl, and wounded over 50 people, official sources today said.

Police official Vandana Karki said manhunt was on across Imphal since grenade blast on the devotees, who were offering prayers to Lord Krishna in the evening on Janmashtami day.

''We feel that in this matter (grenade blast) whole-hearted cooperation of general public will be of great help to us in our investigation.'' Ms Karki said.

Meanwhile, the wounded people admitted to different hospitals were recovering fast, state health department sources said.

Ms Karki said, ''any credible information given by any individual which may lead to the identification and arrest of the culprits involved in the grenade blast will be acknowledged and shall carry a cash reward of Rs. one lakh. The anonymity of the informer and the confidentiality of the information provided will be ensured,'' she said.

Police admitted that they had no clue as to who were involved in the blast.

Meanwhile, the Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) has announced that it was not involved in the ISKCON blast. KYKL Deputy Secretary Apabi Mangang rejected a report, which put the blame on the KYKL.

Meanwhile to protest the bomb blast on the ISKCON temple, a peace rally would be taken out on August 23. It will start from ISKCON temple at 0800 hrs and pass through all the important areas of Imphal after which the rallyists will submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister.

A joint meeting held yesterday at ISKCON had also formed an organization named, ''All Manipur JAC for Prevention of Terrorist Activities''.

UNI