Centre to assist Manipur in countering insurgency: Patil

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 17 (UNI) Home Minister Shivraj Patil today assured Parliament that the Centre would provide all assistance required by the Manipur government to counter the acts of violence and insurgency perpetrated by militants.

Mr Patil made the assurance while making a statement on the bomb explosion at the venue of the Independence Day function in the Dhemaji College ground that resulted in the death of 13 people.

Assam government has placed the Superintendent and Additional Superintendent of Police under suspension for the security lapses.

The Deputy Commissioner is also being replaced, the Home Minister said.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the explosion was caused by an IED planted 40-50 metres from the rostrum near the public enclosure.

The state government has also declared ex-gratia grant of Rs 3 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured. Rs 10,000 each will be paid to those who suffered minor injuries. All the medical expenses of the injured will be borne by the state government.