Manipur, Indija

Krišnin hram koji djeluje u sklopu ISKCON-a, u srijedu 16. kolovoza, negdje oko 19 h, po indijskom vremenu bio je žrtva bombaškog napada.

Preko tisuću sljedbenika slavilo je Jamnastami, najuzvišeniji godišnji događaj za Krišnine bhakte, u hramu u okolici Manipura, u sjeveroistočnom području Indije. Nepoznati napadač bacio je ručnu granatu među skupinu ljudi koji su sjedili ispod velikog šatora ispred hrama, dok su gledali izvođenje religijskog plesa koji je slikovito opisivao zabave Gospodina Krišne.

Druga granata, koja nije eksplodirala, pronađena je sat kasnije u najnapučenijem dijelu hrama, u blizini oltara nedaleko od Krišnnog svetog lika.

Prema ISKCON-ovom glasnogovorniku u Manipuru, četvero ljudi, uključujući i jednu djevojčicu, je poginulo. Oko 36 ljudi je ozlijeđeno, uključujući pet stranih državljana. Osmogodišnja djevojčica, koja je u trenutku kad je bomba eksplodirala na pozornici igrala ulogu Krišne, isto je ozlijeđena. Učitelj plesa ove glumačke skupine u eksploziji je ostao bez noge.

"Užasnuti smo i vrlo žalosni zbog ovog strašnog, opakog čina", rekao je Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON-ov glanogovornik. "Žrtve su nevine bhakte Gospodina. Ne postoji opravdanje za ovaj užasan čin nasilja. Molimo za žrtve i njihove obitelji, i molimo se da Gospodin Krišna uskoro podigne ovaj strašan veo mržnje i nasilja kojim je prekriven ovaj naš svijet."

Među ozlijeđenima je i Njegova Svetost Bhakti Svarupa Damodara Svami, ISKCON-ov lider u Manipuru, koji je odvezen u bolnicu, gdje mu je stanje stabilizirano.

Žrtve su prevezene u nekoliko obližnjih bolnica. Indijska vojska i vlada pokušavaju dogovoriti poseban jutarnji let iz Manipura u Calcuttu, gdje su bolnice bolje opremljene. Inače bi žrtve trebale čekati redovni poslijepodnevni let u zabačenom mjestu na sjeveroistoku Indije.

Prema policijskom izviješću, ni jedna militantna skupina niti pojedinac nisu prihvatili odgovornost za napad. Zgrada hrama nije oštećena.

AT LEAST FOUR DEAD IN TEMPLE BLAST

Grenades thrown into crowd of Krishna worshippers on most sacred day of year  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          DATE: August 16, 2006

Contact:

Anuttama Dasa, Communications Minister – (301) 299-9707; info@icinternational.org

Vineet Chander, North American spokesperson – (201) 925-4973; vineetchander@yahoo.com

Manipur, India – A Krishna temple operated by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) was the victim of a bomb blast at approximately 7:00 pm India time on Wednesday, August 16th.  Over a thousand worshippers were celebrating Janmastami, the most sacred observance of the year for devotees of Krishna, at a temple in the state of Manipur, in the northeast region of India.  Unknown assailants threw a hand grenade into a crowd of people sitting under a large tent outside of the temple, watching a religious dance performance depicting Lord Krishna’s pastimes. 

A second grenade, which did not go off, was found an hour later in the most crowded area of the temple, near an altar bearing sacred images of Krishna.       

According to ISKCON spokespersons in Manipur, four people, including a young girl, are confirmed dead.  Approximately 36 people were injured, including five foreign nationals.  An eight-year old girl, who had been playing the part of Krishna on stage when the bomb exploded, is among those severely injured.  The troupe’s dance teacher lost his leg in the blast.    

“We are sickened and greatly saddened by this horrible, vicious act,” said Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON’s Minister of Communications. “The victims were innocent devotees of God. There is no excuse for such wanton acts of violence. We pray for the victims and their families, and we pray that Lord Krishna will soon lift the terrible veil of hatred and violence that is covering our world.”

Among the injured, His Holiness Bhakti Svarupa Damodara Swami, an ISKCON leader in Manipur, was taken to a hospital, where he remains in stable condition. 

Victims are being treated in several area hospitals. Indian Army and government officials are trying to arrange a special morning air flight from Manipura to Calcutta, where better emergency care facilities are available. Otherwise, victims will have to wait for a regularly scheduled afternoon flight from the remote State in northeast India.   

According to the police, no militant groups or individuals have claimed responsibility for the bombing.  The temple building did not sustain any damage.