New Delhi, Oct 22 : Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today condemned last evening blast in Imphal in which 17 people were killed and 34 other injured.

In his message, the Home Minister said, "I condemn the bomb blast which took place in Imphal. I convey my condolences to the bereaved families and pray for quick recovery of the injured."

At least 18 people were killed and 27 seriously injured in a powerful bomb blast in Imphal, the capital of North-eastern state Manipur. The blast occurred near the Police Commandos' Complex late on Tuesday.

The death toll may rise further, according to police, as the conditions of the hospitalized persons are very serious. Body parts of the victims were found scattered out side the police barrack.

Imphal Superintendent of Police Radheshyam Singh told that eleven people died on the spot, while seven of the injured succumbed to their injuries in different hospital. The bomb was planted on a scooter he added.

New Delhi - At least 17 people were killed and 30 injured in a bomb blast suspected to be carried out by separatist militants in India's north-eastern state of Manipur on Tuesday, news reports said.

The bomb was planted on a motorcycle and exploded near the police commando barracks in Imphal, the state's main city.

Imphal police sources told the PTI news agency that 13 people were killed on the scene, and four succumbed to injuries at the hospital.

Most of the victims were civilians, but some could be policemen.

New Delhi - At least 14 people were killed and 16 injured in a bomb blast suspected to be carried out by separatist militants in India's north-eastern state of Manipur on Tuesday, a news report said.

The bomb was planted on a motorcycle and exploded near the police commando barracks in Imphal, the state's main city, the IANS news agency reported.

Imphal police superintendent Radhe Shyam told the news agency that 11 people were killed on the scene, and three succumbed to injuries at the hospital.

Most of the victims were civilians, but some could be policemen.

Imphal, Oct 20 : Indigenous games and martial art forms are an integral part of Manipur''s culture that is well known through out the northeastern region. Some of the oldest art forms are still popular. Among them is Cheibi, an ancient martial art.

Recently, the All Manipur Cheibi Association of Manipur organized the 9th State Level Cheibi Championship 2008 at the Khuman Lampak Main indoor stadium of Imphal.

The championship, which was organized to further popularize and promote the martial art, had about 180 participants from 21 clubs of Manipur.

Imphal, Oct. 14 : Women in Manipur were recently out on the streets to protest against the atrocities committed by the militants.

They took out a torch rally in west Imphal last week against militant groups. The women condemned the underground groups as criminals who were operating in the guise of revolutionaries.

The protestors said that the worst sufferers of militants’ atrocities were women, as it is the women who suffer the most when the family’s breadwinner loses his life.