Imphal, Nov. 13 : People from all walks of life and different communities recently participated in a massive rally taken out against the recent bomb blasts in Imphal that claimed the lives of many innocent people.

While condemning militancy, the participants in the rally appealed to the government to take tough measures against such elements and restore peace in the state.

The anger was visible on everyone’s face in the rally. Everyone wanted to know after all why there are bomb blasts and why is there so much violence? Everyone was of the view that bomb blasts could never be a solution of problems of any society.

Banners reading ''Bomb is not the solution in the society'', ''We want peace, not bombs'' reflected the growing anguish in everyone’s mind here. The anguish was over the way the people’s lives were kept hostage by militants.

Last week''s bomb blast in the capital, the biggest ever in the state has angered the people of the state.

Tona, one of the participants in rally, said: “Perhaps the attack was targeted on the security personnel, but it''s the civilian who suffered the most. There are many deaths but many have been maimed. The attack by militants in a public place has upset us deeply.”

Jitendra, another participant at the rally, said: “Please don’t do such blasts at public places. The common man just wants to lead his life in peace. Please don''t do it over here.”

Manipur is today the most violence affected State in the north-eastern region.

Compared to 209 fatalities in 2007 in the neighbouring Assam. Manipur has recorded 314 fatalities. Of the killed people, 65 per cent were militants.

Despite the action against militancy some of the groups still keep on creating havoc in collusion with outside groups.

According to a recent report by the Delhi based Institute for Conflict Management a local militant group has inked a pact with the Naxals to spread terror in the state.

L. P. Singh, Professor, Manipur University, said: “We, the people, should raise our voice against such inhuman acts. If we remain silent without raising our voice then we will continue to suffer.”

Rampant incidents of abduction and extortion, forcible closure of business, educational and government establishments, militant decrees targeting the day to day lives of the people are a regular feature here. Also there have been attacks on senior officials and politicians, including the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues. All this has led to an atmosphere insecurity and chaos in the State.

People at the rally wanted to know after all how long they would have to continue to suffer. (ANI)