Our Correspondent
IMPHAL, February 20
Aggrieved over the indifferent attitude of state government towards the victims of 'Khunthak Blast' at Kasom Khullen in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, the members of Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed against the explosion, threatened to launch various forms of agitation and bandh across the hill district once the ongoing X and XII examination is completed.One villager was killed while another serious sustained injury during the February 5 explosion in the hill district.Addressing a press conference at a residence of the deceased's relative located at Langol Lamthum Ching near Imphal, the Convenor of the JAC J Mayarami stated that the state government turns a deaf ear to the victim family’s calls. He informed that the JAC had submitted a memorandum to state Chief Minister and home minister on behalf of the victims on February 12 to extend possible support to the two victim’s families. The memorandum demands compensation of Rs 5 Lakhs for the injured and ex-gratia of Rs 10 Lakhs for the deceased person respectively; deployment of central forces unit at Kasom Khullen headquarter; blacktopping of Shangshak to Tengnoupal BRTF road and ban on Timber smuggling through Kasom Khullen route.However there is no response from the government side so far, they claimed.Wife of the deceased NK Addison, who succumbed to injuries in the said blast, said her husband was an innocent civilian who sweat to earn a livelihood and main bread earner of the family. She lamented that no one from the government side has came to console their great loses till date. She continued that such move reflects the bias nature of the state government and alleged that the government should have not ignored if the victims happen to be from valley areas.Sharing a similar sentiment, president of Information Center for Hill Areas of Manipur (ICHAM) N Boy has contributed a sum of Rs 5000 each to the victim and its family. Lamenting the incident, he assured that ICHAM will extend all the possible support to the victims and families. Lambasting the JNIMS doctors and staffs for referring the injured person from their government run hospital to an expensive private hospital, he said the people would felt proud if the patient was treated properly in a government hospital.
But the system was reverse here, he lamented.He also expressed unhappiness over alleged charging of transportation fee from the patient’s party.
