NEPS
WOKHA, February 26
Home Minister Y Patton along with high ranking state police and civil officials has today visited the Wokha bomb blast site and the affected people living in the makeshift camp here at Tsumang Colony. During his visit, he also announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 1 lakh each to the next of kith and kin of those who were killed in Tuesday’s blast and fire tragedy. It may be mentioned that a massive bomb blast took place at a gun shop at Tsumang Colony at the heart of Wokha Town on Tuesday and it caused a major inferno killing eight people and injuring dozens of people. The massive blast and subsequent inferno destroyed three major buildings and extensive damages also caused to surrounding houses.
The VIPs and high ranking state police and civil officials accompanying the Home Minister are Mhonlumo Kikon, BJP MLA, Akheto Sema, ADG (Ops), Renchamo Kikon, IGP (INT), Leremo Lotha, DIG (Kohima Range), Remongo Zami, Excise Secretary, A Woben Lotha, Home Secretary, Dr Thojamo Ezung, Director Veterinary and Animal Husbandry.
Local BJP MLA Dr TM Lotha and Wokha DC, Wokha SP also joined the Minister while inspecting the blast site, besides NPF Central leaders- Tsumongo Ovung, Akimo Kikon and Achumbemo Kikon- and leaders of Lotha Hoho and Eloe Hoho.
Patton moved around the completely destroyed remnants of the major three buildings and expressed his utter shock and awe in seeing the amount of damages caused due to the powerful bomb blast which led to the massive inferno killing eight people while injuring dozens.
The impact of the blast was so powerful that materials blown off reached even up to one kilometer away, informed locals who narrated to the visiting Minister.
On his behalf and on behalf of the VIPs and civil and police officials accompanying him, the Minister also conveyed deepest condolences to the bereaved family members of those who lost their precious lives in the tragedy.
Expressing that he and the government were with the aggrieved people at this hour distress, Patton, while visiting affected people currently living in the makeshift relief camp at Tsumang Colony, announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 1 lakh each to next kith and kin of those killed in the unfortunate blast and fire tragedy while monetary assistance to those affected.
The Minister also conveyed the message of the state chief minister TR Zeliang of his wanting to visit the affected people but due to his preoccupation at Medziphema, he could not make it. He (CM) conveyed his sympathies with the affected people at this hour of sorrows, he informed.
Patton expressed his gratitude to the people of Tsumang Colony for extending cooperation and helps extended to all the affected people as well as the victims.
He also appreciated the 17 Assam Rifles, Wokha for providing food items to the affected people in the relief camp while also valued the services rendered to the affected and victims by district administration, police, Lotha Hoho, KSU, other NGOs and individuals.
The Minister also contributed Rs 1 lakh towards the relief fund of the affected people, while Ramongo Zami, president of Lotha Gazetted Officers’ Union, Kohima contributed Rs 10,000.
He also urged the people of Wokha to pray to Almighty God that such tragic situation should not occur again.
The chairman of the Tsumang Colony, Aremo Ezung, on behalf of the people of the Colony, expressed his appreciation to the visiting Minister and other high ranking police and officials for their visiting the affected and the blast site.
