Manipur residents, traders hold sit-in protest against rebels

Imphal, Mar 20 (ANI): Scores of residents and traders here took part in a sit-in protest against militants.

Suspected militants exploded a bomb in front of the Hospital and Assisted Reproductive Centre in Imphal on Wednesday, damaging parked vehicles and severely injuring four persons, including two women.

Carrying placards that read, "Bomb attack at crowded area is an act of terrorists," "We condemn gun culture," and "Bomb is not a toy," The protesters condemned the attack, shouting, "We want peace."

Protesters said innocent people were being targeted and the situation had become intolerable.

"The attacks they have been carrying out are innumerable. Poor and helpless people, who are toiling hard for their livelihood, are always their victims. This is really difficult and hard to bear anymore," said W. Ashalata Devi, president of Kombirei Keithel Meira Paibi Apunba Lup, a traders' organisation.

There has been a marked rise in attacks in the run up to the polls with political activists being targeted in a bid to keep them off the upcoming general elections. (ANI)