Bomb hidden inside container lGNLA hand suspected
TURA: Nine persons, including three women, sustained injuries when suspected Garo militants triggered a blast outside a major hardware store in the heart of Tura town sending people scurrying for cover on Wednesday morning.
Customers, including contractors and pedestrians were in and around the Mahabir Trade Agency hardware shop when at 10:54 am, a bomb, reportedly concealed inside a paint container that was left behind on the steps of the shop exploded.
The proscribed GNLA is the prime suspect in the blast.
A group of customers, pedestrians and labourers who were in and around the shop sustained injuries. One of the daily wagers, Salman Ch Marak (32) of Balsanang locality, who was standing near the explosion venue, sustained the most injuries. He was rushed to Tura civil hospital and is said to be out of danger.
The other injured victims include Bijit Singh, Jiban Pal, Lejony M Sangma, Thamgone Sangma, Wastatchi Sangma, Pradeep Bhomik, Koruma Das and Md. Sahidur Rahman .
Police sources indicate that the GNLA area commander of West Garo Hills, Karak Momin alias Hedeo had allegedly served an extortion notice on the shop for twenty lakh rupees and the attack may have been his way of sending a message.
“It is the GNLA outfit. There is no doubt about it. We have some leads about the person who planted the device,” said West Garo Hills SP Mukesh Kr Singh. He added that close circuit tv (CCTV) from near the blast site was being analyzed by police to identify the culprit.
Interestingly, the CCTV inside the targeted shop was not directed towards the but was instead focused on the manager’s seating position.
Following the attack, security was put on high alert throughout Tura town and search operations launched at potential areas of hideouts by the suspects.
Parliamentary secretary and Rajabala MLA Ashahel D Shira accompanied by Limison Sangma and Winnerson Sangma, both parliamentary secretaries, paid a visit to the Tura civil hospital to meet the seriously injured victims. The North Tura MLA, Noverfield R Marak also visited the site of the blast at Tura bazaar.
Condemnation against the attack: Meanwhile, the GSU interim body and the A’chik Youth Welfare Organization has condemned the blast stating that constant threats were putting a question mark on the student community.
“Students have just got their results and are busy trying for admissions. Such incidents can cause harm to their progress. The government should get their act together otherwise the home minister should step down,” said GSU interim president Zikku Balgra N Marak.
AYWO President Adinson Momin said that such incidents are destroying the socio-economic life, peace and harmony and the image of Garo Hills.