People in Manipur question the purpose behind mindless violence

Imphal, March 29 (ANI): People from all walks of life in Manipur have condemned the recent spate of kidnappings and killings in the state. With each passing incident they feel they are becoming targets of a mindless violence, serving no one's interest.

Local militant groups recently bombed the SUBA Hospital of Imphal, killing four and injuring one critically.

The incident evoked widespread condemnation from local residents and they came out on streets in protest.

People from all sections of society, shopkeepers of the Kombirei keithel (market) of RIMS road, staff of SUBA Hospital, Local residents, Meira Paibis, staged a sit-in protest in protest against the atrocity,

The Kangleipak Communist Party- Military Council (KCP MC) claimed responsibility for the blast. They said they attacked the hospital as a 'warning' to government doctors not to work in private hospitals.

"As a member of public, I condemn the attack at the hospital. Patients come here for treatment and I do not agree with their attempt to kill innocent people. Militants targeting hospitals where peace of mind is essential, is something we the public strongly condemn," said K. Subash Singh, a local resident.

"Militant activities are increasing everyday. They are harming innocent public who are struggling to make ends meet and it has become very difficult for us. We are unable to cope with such activities," another local resident W. Ashalata Devi in Imphal.

Shops, including pharmacies and private hospitals remained closed in protest against the bomb attack.

The worst affected as usual when such incident takes place, were the common people.

"I express my deep sorrow on the blast to the people of Manipur. I request them not to attack in future not only on any hospital but also everywhere in Manipur," said W. Nimai Singh, Managing Director of Imhpal's Suba Hospital.

Rising militant activities have made life extremely difficult for the people in Manipur. Innocent people today live in fear and are tired of militant activities. Everyone here seeks peace and normalcy.

In another incident, militants recently abducted a Public Works Department's Assistant engineer M. Janaki and his wife in Imphal.

It so happened that militants broke into the house of the engineer, who was on leave because of poor health, and abducted him and his wife.

Their abduction sparked off protests in the State.

The children are in utter shock. They don't know what would happen to their parents. They want their parents be released safely.

"Our parents look after us and the incident has disturbed us a lot. I am in the middle of my exams and not able to concentrate on my studies. My younger sister has just finished her exams. We are not able to eat. We are upset to think about their welfare, " said Jecy Moirangthem, victim's daughter.

The kidnapping of the engineer and his wife was strongly condemned by residents of Singjamei, Imphal.

Relatives of the victims, PWD employees, and local residents staged a protest demonstration in front of PWD office, demanding safe release of Janaki and his wife at the earliest.

"Such incidents cause us pain. They happen frequently and it is becoming difficult to live like this. We have been repeatedly appealing for an end to such activities," said Kh. Ahilya Devi, local resident.

"People have been affected by frequent bomb attacks and kidnapping and if this continues how will our society progress? How will the future generation survive? Where is the hope for a better future?," said Sanahanbi Devi, local resident.

People in Manipur want an end to kidnapping and threats that are being made against engineers among others. Such incidents are disruptive and affect normalcy in the state.

People in Manipur have increasingly got fed up of incidents of killings, abduction, and extortion demands by militants here.

Every incident leaves the residents here with questions like how could individuals of their state terrorise their own brethrens. (ANI)