Manipuris agitated over incidents of bomb blasts, extortions - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

There is a growing annoyance among residents in Manipur against the militants who are extorting money by threatening people. People are agitated, as these militants have spared none, be it any businessman, government official or even educational institutes. The latest victim of militants' atrocity is Khurai Popular High School that has been demanded two per cent of teachers' salaries. People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) recently entered the school premises and threatened teachers with dire consequences if their demands were not met. Recently, PREPAK cadres had abducted Ratan, the headmaster of the school along with a driver Nagamapal. "They are demanding money and we are not the financial source of the institution but the learning source of it. They are not supposed to compel us for money," said T Ratankumar, the school headmaster. The teachers and the students condemned the extortion threats by the PREPAK outfit as it hampers their studies and creates a fear psychosis. "The monetary demand from our teachers is not acceptable. It affects the educational environment and future of students is at stake. Education must be free from all such problems," said Laishram Thoiba, one of the students. In another incident, militants threw a grenade at the residence of Soibam Anandi, a retired accountant. The grenade exploded in the courtyard, but no one was injured. The incident led to residents staging a sit-in protest. Strongly condemning the incident, the demanded a proper investigation into the attack. "We are not so well-off and have just enough to meet our ends. We have not received any monetary demands earlier. We have not harmed anyone. We want to live a simple life," said Soibam Anandi, a retired accountant. "The incident occurred without any warning. The militants are just throwing grenades at peoples residence. It is dangerous," said Bino, one of the protestors.