ZRA rips masks off 3 rapists; 2 houses set ablaze

Source: The Sangai Express

Lamka, Dec 23: Exactly ten days after the dead body of a forty-six year old woman was unearthed, fully nude, at a paddy field near Yaiphakol village here, the Zomi Revolutionary Army has rounded up  three individuals for their alleged involvement in the crime following a protracted operation at Yaiphakol in the afternoon, local villagers said.

The ZRA paraded all male members in the village at around 1 pm today, for physical scrutiny, an elder at Yaiphakol village said. ‘They seemed to be looking for scratch marks on the body as we were told to remove our shirts one after another,’ said another.
  When told to remove his shirt, an individual identified as Konthoujam Ibungo Chouba, 30 son of K Jiken allegedly refused to comply and immediately turn panicky leading the ZRA cadres to further question him.
He not only admitted to the crime but also revealed the names of two more accomplices, a man leading the ZRA search team said.
The two accomplices are identified as Wangkhem Tomba, 35 husband of Manglembi of Yaiphakol and  Chunganbam Goinao alias Nanao, 30 husband of Bansanti of Thingkangphai, presently residing at Yaiphakol. While Tomba is a father of four, Nanao has three.
 Upon enquiring a villager who choose to remain anonymous said, the intelligence wing of the ZRA have on the 21, a day after some belongingsof the victim was discovered, made a thorough search of the same area and discovered a Cap and a torn ‘Banian’ for which they were on the look-out for scar marks. ‘They have even tested the cap that was permanently stitched on the adjustment point to each of us,’ he said and further confirmed that the ‘banian’ itself belongs to Tomba.
The ZRA after ascertaining the involvement of the trio in the rape and murder of Hatkholhing Guite inform the deputy commissioner through the joint women organization that the three criminals are in their custody. By the time the police arrived at the scene, some people have already gathered on the spot and began throwing abuses and blow to the three offenders. As the police try to take them inside the police vehicle, the crowd that already gathered at the spot started venting their anger on the three giving the police a hard time in gaining control of their custody.
  When the police manage to make their way through the crowd the offender trio seems to be in semi-conscious or unconscious state.
Meanwhile, the villagers of Yaiphakol tonight at around 5.30PM set ablaze two houses that belong to the apprehended offender. The third being tenant, his family was expelled from the village, sources said.

Workshop deliberates on Thadou culture

Source: The Sangai Express


Imphal, December 11 2010: The reportedly fading culture and traditions of Thadou Kuki were deliberated during a one day workshop held at Damdei Christian College, Sadar Hills today.

Resource persons speaking at the workshop cautioned that the rich culture of Thadous may fade into oblivion if necessary efforts are not made to document and preserve the indigenous culture of the Thadous without any further delay.

The workshop was organised by Compassion Manipur under the sponsorship of Department of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur.

Speaking at the workshop, Manipur University, School of Human and Environmental Science Dean Prof W Nabakumar said that 'one world, one culture' espoused by Western Countries to adopt their culture as global culture has been rejected by different nations.

More and more nations are embracing and promoting their own indigenous cultures, he said.

Noting that culture undergoes changes according to time, Prof Nabakumar asserted that the core elements of indigenous culture should be sustained and promoted on the path of development and progress.

Adoption of American or English culture would keep the indigenous people behind the Americans or the English at all time.

Lauding Chinese efforts of successfully preserving and promoting their indigenous system of acupuncture just as the Koreans and Japanese proudly inherited their ancient cultures, Prof Nabakumar noted that these Asian countries could make remarkable progress because they put more values in their own cultures and traditions than imported ones.

Many other speakers lamented that there are very few people alive who have indepth knowledge of Thadou culture.

They cautioned that Thadou culture and the identity may get lost with the passage of time if sincere efforts are not initiated to identify and preserve the core elements of Thadou culture.

Saying that traditional dance is a part of culture, Prof Nabakumar called upon all to work for inclusion of Thadou traditional dance in the syllabus of Manipur University Dance Department.

Unlike in other parts of the world, kings of Manipur never tried to assimilate indigenous cultures and traditions of the smaller communities with the dominant culture.

In his keynote address, Rev Bungthang Sitlhou lamented that except for some older persons, younger Thadou generations know very little about their indigenous culture.

Comparing Thadou dance with those of other tribes of Manipur, Bungthang said that Thadou dance is not a war dance but a very gentle dance based on the theme of love and cordiality.

There are very few people at present who can perform this tradition dance to perfection.

Speaking as chief guest, Art and Culture Director K Sobita assured all possible assistance towards preservation and promotion of Thadou culture.


The workshop was presided by Damdei Christian College Principal Seikho Sitlhou.

Christmas spirit inspires all

Source:The Sangai Express

Imphal, Dec 24: Governor Gurbachan Jagat and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh have greeted the people of Manipur, especially the Christian brethren on the auspicious and happy occasion of Christmas.

In his message to the people, the Governor said that Christmas calls for a peaceful co-existence for a prosperous life among the various communities in the society. This needs to be realised while celebrating the birth day of Jesus Christ, which is universally known as Christmas.

Pointing out that Jesus Christ preached the message of love, peace, forgiveness, mercy, compassion, benevolence and sacrifice to build a new world order based on peace, justice and equality of mankind, the Governor observed that His messages guide all of us to build a prosperous society and peaceful world.

“Along with paying our obeisance to the outstanding apostle of peace and non-violence in the celebration of Christmas, we should rededicate ourselves to the ideals, principles and eternal values as espoused by Lord Jesus,” the Governor added, while joining the people of Manipur in praying to God for peace, harmony and prosperity for the State of Manipur and wishing all a Merry Christmas.

In his message, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh said that Jesus Christ showed a way of life to humanity based on the values of truth and charity. His teachings which spread across the whole world served as a beacon to steer humanity from darknessto light.

His teachings have a great relevance in today’s world, the Chief Minister said, while wishing that “the Christmas celebration may fill our lives with peace, love and prosperity.”

Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly I Hemochandra has also conveyed his best Christmas and New Year, 2011 wishes to all the people.

In a message, the Speaker said that it is his firm belief that Christmas  would be an occasion for bringing peace and prosperity in the State and to follow the doctrines and principles of Lord Jesus which will bring peace, unity and harmony among the mankind.

Let us forget ill-wills, enmity among us and try to bring a good and prosperous State in the coming New year, the Speaker said.The Officiating GOC of 57 Mountain Division Brig RS Rewal has also sent his wishes to the people.Extending his Christmas greetings and goodwill to

 the people, IGAR (South) hoped that peace, harmony and understanding would prevail through celebration of Christmas. Officiating GOC, 57 Mountain Division Brig RS Grewal and all ranks of the Division have also extended warm greetings to the people of Manipur on the occasion of Christmas.

Hill Tribal Council, Moreh has also extended Christmas greetings to all the people.

Dip in mercury sends charcoal prices soaring

Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, Dec 23 : With  the onset of winter and cold waves gripping Manipur for the last few days, the price of charcoal in the market has been soaring in direct proportion to its demand.

At one time, every households in Manipur used to have Phunga that kept the house warm. But such fireplaces in the houses have given way to electrical appliances. Unfortunately, irregular power supply has forced many people to depend on the good old charcoal to keep themselves despite soaring prices.

Interacting with The Sangai Express,  charcoal sellers at New Checkon Bazar of Imphal informed that price of charcoal which skyrocketed following the indefinite blockade along the National Highways has not come down.

Before the blockade, one bag of charcoal weighing 50 kg cost around Rs 270  to Rs 280. However, after the blockade and till today, the price has remained stuck at Rs 320 to Rs 330 per bag.

Earlier one sackful of charcoal used to cost Rs 350, but today it cost around  Rs 410.

On account of the high price, the demand for charcoal had been remaining low even after one month of onset of winter. But with cold wave gripping the State over the last few days, the demand for charcoal has increased. Now, it is very easy to sell 10 to 20 sackfuls of charcoal in a day.

They informed that over the last few days, they have been selling one tinful of relatively bigger pieces of charcoal made from Saee (a type of tree considered to be superior in making charcoal) for Rs 60, relatively smaller pieces for Rs 50 while Rs 35 for very small pieces.

For families who cannot afford to buy charcoal in tins, the charcoal sellers have ingeniously adopted  the policy of packing the charcoal in polythene bags which cost Rs 10 per bag.

However, for Rs 200, they offered 25 such polythene bagfuls of charcoal.

One woman who came to buy charcoal said that the price of charcoal this year is very high when compared to 2009.

But there is no choice or alternative in sight for the people.
‘We have heater, emersion rod, etc. But all of them are useless as there is no electricity. So we have to depend on charcoal for everything. When there is no cooking gas in the house, we also cooked with the help of charcoal’’, the woman narrated.

On the eastern side of New Checkon Road, around 18 people including 13 women are selling charcoal to eke out their living.

They said that the charcoal being sold by them have been actually brought from the hills by some middlemen and they got it from the middlemen for selling again. So, when they approached these middlemen for reducing the price of charcoal, the middlemen maintained that the price has been high from the source itself and they can stop selling charcoal if they are unable to do so.

Even if there is high demand for charcoal on account of the cold waves, this would soon over and there would be difficult in selling the charcoal after some days, the charcoal sellers predicted, adding that rise in the price of charcoal would affect their livelihood as well.

Goods train bombed, bus attacked in Assam ahead of R-Day

Guwahati, Jan 25,2011: Tribal militants today bombed a goods train and attacked a passenger bus wounding three people in separate incidents in Assam ahead of Republic Day.

The running of all night passenger trains in the region has been suspended until Jan 30 on security reasons, officials said.

Both the incidents are believed to be part of a renewed offensive by separatist militants to make their presence felt in the run up to the Republic Day celebrations.

A police spokesperson said tribal militants triggered a remote controlled explosion near Maigrendisa in North Cachar Hills district, about 320 km south of here.

"The goods train engine got derailed in the impact of the blast," railway spokesperson S. Hajong said.

"There were no injuries or other damage caused to the train apart from the engine wheels getting derailed."

The train carrying foodgrains was on its way from Lumding to Silchar in Assam. The bomb was planted beneath a culvert.

"We are yet to ascertain the identity of the rebel group involved in the attack," a senior police official said.

In another incident, a little known militant group called Karbi Liberation People's Tiger (KLPT) attacked a passenger bus early today near Bokajan in Karbi Anglong district injuring three people, including a child.

"The militants tried stopping the bus and when it failed to do so they opened indiscriminate firing using automatic weapons," a police official said.

The injured were shifted to a local hospital.

The bus was on its way from Guwahati to Manipur capital Imphal.

"Both the incidents are attempts by militants to make their presence felt ahead of Republic Day," a police official here said.

Elsewhere in the northeast, security forces arrested four militants in separate raids in Imphal - two each from the People's Liberation Army and the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK).

"The four militants were arrested along with arms during search operations ahead of Republic Day," Th Radheshyam, police chief of Imphal East district, said.

Six frontline separatist groups in the region have called a boycott of the Republic Day and also a general strike from 1 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Jan 26.

The call has been given by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF) - comprising several major militant outfits in the state, the Kamatapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), and the Tripura People's Democratic Front (TPDF).

These groups are active in Assam, Manipur and Tripura.

The six rebel groups announced their boycott on Sunday through a statement e-mailed to journalists.

Militant groups in the northeast have for years boycotted national events to protest New Delhi's rule over the region, and have staged violent attacks in the run up to the celebrations to make their presence felt.

Thousands of army, police and paramilitary troopers are standing guard in the northeast to foil militant attacks. Militant groups often target vital installations like road and rail bridges, oil installations, and security forces as part of their design. 

Source:Headlines India

Mexican police: Gunmen open fire at soccer game, 7 dead

Mexico,Jan 24,2011:A group of heavily armed men opened fire at a soccer match between two local teams in western Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, killing seven people and wounding two others, according to a municipal police spokesman.

The soccer field is at a community center opened four months ago as part of a program to decrease drug violence in a city that has been racked by violence and killings linked to drug cartels. Police said Monday they had not determined a motive for the shooting.

The dead from the shooting Sunday evening were males ranging in age from 19 to 26, police said. At least one was a soccer player -- an image from the scene showed the dead player face down on turf. Above him was a posted sign reading in Spanish, "Live Better" -- a slogan in Juarez's anti-violence campaign.

Three victims died at the scene, while four others died on the way to area hospitals.

The gunmen -- reportedly traveling in three vehicles -- sprayed the soccer field with about 180 rounds from assault rifles around 6 p.m., just before the game got started, police said.

Among the dead and wounded were several fans. Some of the victims were taken to hospitals by family members. One of the injured was a 12-year-old shot in the foot, the newspaper El Diario de Juarez said.

"We still do not have a motive why they opened fire," municipal police spokesman Adrian Sanchez told CNN in a phone interview from the scene. "They fired 180 rounds in three or four seconds. It happened fast," Sanchez added. "People here are still confused about what happened."

Source:CNN

Russian authorities: Terrorist bombing at Moscow airport kills 35

Moscow Jan 24,2011: Terrorists detonated a bomb at Moscow's busiest airport on Monday, killing 35 people and wounding 152, Russian authorities said.

President Dmitry Medvedev, who called the bombing a terrorist attack, ordered additional security at airports and transportation hubs around the country, and Moscow police went on high alert in case of additional bombs.

The explosion occurred about 4:30 p.m. at the entrance of the international arrivals section of Domodedovo Airport, Itar-Tass said, citing a spokeswoman for the Russian Investigative Committee, Tatyana Morozova.

State TV aired video of the smoke-filled terminal, including what appeared to be bodies and luggage on the ground.

The Russian National Anti-Terrorist Committee said 35 people were dead and 152 had been wounded in the explosion.

State TV, citing Russian authorities, said the bombing was the act of a suicide bomber who stuffed a homemade bomb with small metal objects to make it more deadly, then activated it in a crowded area where many people were waiting for arriving passengers. CNN could not independently verify those claims.

A heavy police presence remained outside the airport nearly four hours after the explosion, and more than 10 ambulances left the airport with lights flashing and sirens screeching.

Incoming flights scheduled to land at Domodedovo were being diverted to Moscow's other airports, Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo, Russian TV said.

However, airport spokeswoman Yelena Galanova told Russian state TV that the airport was "operating as usual."

"There have been no departure delays. We were shut for only about 20 minutes after the explosion," she told state TV.

An airport employee, Andrei Surkov, told CNN that while the international arrivals area is still closed, international passengers were being routed through the domestic terminal located on the other end of the airport.

Lufthansa spokeswoman Claudia Lange said the airline has suspended all flights to Domodedovo until further notice.

Elina Bakhtina told state TV she was at the airport cafe she owns when the explosion occurred.

"The blast must have been very strong, because our cafe is about 100 meters from the arrivals area. When we heard the blast, glass just started falling from the ceiling," she said.

Tatyana Papova, who was waiting at passport control when the explosion occurred, told state TV that escalators stopped working at the baggage claim area and airport employees started breaking down walls to help clear people from the area.

Domodedovo is 22 kilometers (14 miles) southeast of Moscow. According to the airport's website, it is the largest of Moscow's three airports, as well as the busiest in terms of passenger traffic.

U.S. President Barack Obama called the bombing a "premeditated attack against innocent civilians."

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the U.S. government had no information that any Americans were injured.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said British officials are "in urgent contact with Russian authorities to establish the facts and to provide consular support to any British nationals who may have been affected."

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen condemned the attack and urged greater cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

German, French, and Isreali leaders also condemned the attacks.

Will Geddes, terrorism expert and managing director of International Corporate Protection Group, called the bombing a "very significant terror strike."

"To strike in the airport -- which is fundamentally believed and understood by many to be one of the most secure types of installations in a city or in a country -- to have such a devastating an attack with such a tragic result, means that they had planned this considerably well and gone ahead in achieving their aims," he said.

Russia has a long history of dealing with terror attacks.

In 2004, two airplanes that took off from Domodedovo exploded, killing at least 89 people in an attack blamed on Chechen suicide bombers.

More recently, female suicide bombers struck the Moscow metro during rush hour in March, setting off two explosions that killed at least 38 people and wounded more than 60. Chechen rebels claimed responsibility for that attack.

In November 2009, an explosive device derailed an express train, killing at least 26 people.   

Source:CNN

Photo:Ivan Sekretarev/AP

Red carpet welcome for Swu, Muivah at Delhi

New Delhi, Jan 23 : Hun-dreds of Nagas in Delhi gathered today evening to welcome the arrival of Chairman of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim Isak Chishi Swu, who was accompanied by his wife.

He was also flanked by the NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th Muivah, also accompanied by his wife and other Naga leaders.

Speaking before the anxious Nagas who waited to hear him, the Chairman said that the NSCN leadership is coming to Delhi on the invitation of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh,  for the  purpose of furthering the political negotiation towards concretizing it into a final solution. He added that the NSCN acknowledges the positive attitude and effort of the Government of India and that NSCN is also committed from its side. With the finest moment  near at hand the Chairman  cautioned that it will be prudent for both the side not to miss this opportunity to resolve the issue.

General Secretary Th Muivah in his speech informed that the  GOI has understood and recognised the uniqueness of the Naga history, and is basis where the talk was initiated. He assured that the nagas will not be betrayed. “We are not a lost people or a lost nation” said the General Secretary of the NSCN (IM) who further elaborated that successive Prime Minister has assured for a solution including the present PM, which is honourable and acceptable to both the side. “what is honourable is up to us ’ said the General Secretary.  He further stated that to what extend the GOI will reflect ( their understanding and acceptance of the naga history)  is a serious question and “that is the issue remaining to be solved” said Muivah.

Emphasisng the commitment from the side of the NSCN The general secretary said “we have not fire  a single bullet” and that the leadership is here today without any arms for talks reasserting that “if GOI is committed, solution is not far way”. He also cautioned the gathering that the long 13 years of talks is not a weakness form the part of the NSCN , but the ‘patient enough’ Nagas should not be forced what is not possible.  Both the leaders spoke on the concern of difference arising among the Nagas, and that NSCN is working hard toward the reconciliation process and is prepared to meet at the highest level.

 Organized by Naga Community Delhi several naga students, scholars, employees attended the reception. Sumi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu and the Poumai Tsiidoumai Me presented a traditional dance and folk song in welcome of the Naga leadership. Prayers were also held by Naga pastors residing in Delhi.


Source:The Sangai Express

Church ordered to stop construction,Worship Service and School by authorities

21 January 2011: The local authorities ordered a Chin Baptist Church in a village of Gangaw Township to stop continuing its construction, holding worship services and running nursery school on 12 November 2010.

The Office of Gangaw Religious Affairs, accusing the church leaders of obtaining no permissions from relevant government departments, forced them to sign a document promising that the construction, worship services and nursery school would be ended immediately.

It was reported that the shocking move came just two days after Officer of Gangaw Township Religious Affairs, U Hla Tun and top officials from Forest and Telecommunication Departments visited the church and took some photos on 9 November 2010.

"Before the November 7 Election, the village headman U Tan Chaung and his assistant Aung Zaw Myint told the church pastor to vote for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). But the result showed that the National Unity Party (NUP) won and the local authorities were not happy," one of the church committee members told Chinland Guardian.

U Tan Chaung reported to the Gangaw authorities about the election result of the village, according to the church committee member.

It was also reported that the Baptist Church had previously faced religious restrictions in the village including being ordered to put the church signboard down and to pull out the Christian tombstones in the cemetery.

There are 40 children from both Christian and Buddhist backgrounds in the nursery school run by the church whose building foundation was laid on 13 November 2008.

Only 23 out of 400 households are Christians in the village, with an estimated total population of 1,400. With the majority being Buddhist, the village has only 105 Christians although it was founded and first settled by the Zokhua people of Chin State.

Source:Chinland Guardian

Heavy fog disrupts flight operations at Kolkata airport

Kolkata,Jan 14: Heavy fog in the city on Friday morning stalled air operations at the airport with no flight being able to take off or land. 

Authorities at the Netaji Subhas Bose International Airport said no flights have taken off from 5 am as the fog density was 50 m leading to very low visibility. 

Approximately 40 morning flights could not take off and about 13 in-coming flights could not land at the airport. 

The New Delhi-Kolkata flight could not land and returned to New Delhi while the Kolkata-New Delhi Air India flight at 7 am was cancelled and combined with the next flight of the airlines at 10

Source:The Times of India

Man found murdered in Churuchandpur

Lamka, Jan 13: Churachandpur today witnessed the first victim of violence of 2011, with a 35-year old man, father of four children, found murdered not far from his residence at Tangmual village, about 4 kms from here on the south.

Ngamneihlian, 35, husband of Chongneihlian was found murdered with injury marks possibly inflicted by blows with a wooden block near his residence early today, according to sources.

He bore multiple injuries on the back of his head as well as strangulation mark on his neck.

The local police, while retrieving the body at around 10 am today, collected one wooden block with blood stains and human hair strips, not far from the location where the body was found.

 The body was found at an isolated spot about 100 meters from his residence.

As suspects behind the crime are still at large, the police are pinning their hope that something constructive may emerge once the victim’s wife, who is still in a state of shock following her husband’s murder, could give them a coherent statement.

Police have registered a case of homicide under section 302/34 of the IPC, while the body was handed over to the family after an autopsy was conducted at the district hospital here.

Jet Airways pilot runs over restaurant manager

NEW DELHI 11 Jan,2011: In an incident of road rage, a young restaurant manager was killed here today when a Jet Airways pilot allegedly ran his car over him after their vehicles collided.

The police said the incident occurred near Khan Market in central Delhi at around 1:50 pm after the cars driven by Vikas Aggarwal, the pilot, and Rajiv Jolly, a manager at a Khan Market restaurant, met with a minor collision at a traffic signal.

Jolly came out of his car and allegedly entered into an argument with the pilot and thrashed him, a senior police official said. Jolly and Aggarwal are in their early thirties.

"Aggarwal was inside his car. Suddenly, he moved his vehicle forward and Jolly fell down and came under the wheels. It is not clear whether the pilot did this intentionally or was just trying to flee the spot," the official said.

Jolly was rushed to the hospital where he was declared brought dead.

The pilot was arrested and a murder case registered against him.

Source:The Times of India

NE Woman molested, man held

NEW DELHI, Jan 9,2011: Vasant Vihar police, on Saturday, arrested one Dinesh for allegedly assaulting four persons from Manipur, including a 24-year-old woman, in Munirka village on Tuesday. In this regard, a case was registered under Section 354 (assault or use of force on woman in order to outrage her modesty). The accused works as a sweeper in a hotel in the locality, although the victims claimed he was their landlord. 

The four victims claimed they were assaulted around 9.30 pm on Tuesday. Three of them, including the woman, lived as tenants in Dinesh's property in the village. One of the victims was a visitor. 

Seeking anonymity of the victims, Madhu Chandra, spokesperson of North East Support Centre and Helpline, said all the victims were temporarily residing in Munirka. 

"John (25), Richard (23), Calvin (24), and Jenny (all names changed) were assaulted by the landlord and his men. John and Calvin are working in private companies in Delhi," said Chandra.  The victims claimed that it was only after they called the Kuki Students' Organization, Delhi (KSOD), general secretary T. Douminlian, that a formal complaint at the Vasant Vihar PS  was registered at 1.30 am on Saturday and the accused apprehended. 

Source:The Sangai Express

Christmas weekend violence kills 38 in Nigeria

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – Dozens of armed men attacked the church, dragging the pastor out of his home and shooting him to death. Two young men from the choir rehearsing for a late-night carol service also were slain.

The group of about 30 attackers armed with guns and knives even killed two people passing by Victory Baptist Church. The assailants only left after setting the church and pastor's house ablaze.

Danjuma Akawu, the church's secretary, managed to escape after he and others climbed over the church's fence.

"I cannot understand these attacks," Akawu said. "Why Christians? Why Christians? The police have failed to protect us."

At the opposite end of the city, Rev. Haskanda Jessu said that three men attacked the Church of Christ in Nigeria an hour later, killing a 60-year-old security guard.

At least 38 people died in Christmas Eve attacks across Nigeria, including the six killed at churches in the country's north by suspected members of a radical Muslim sect. In central Nigeria, 32 died in a series of bomb blasts in the worst violence to hit the region in months.

Authorities have not identified suspects following the Christmas Eve explosions in Jos and it was not immediately clear if those attacks had a religious motive. Two of the bombs went off near a large market where people were doing last-minute Christmas shopping. A third hit a mainly Christian area of Jos, while the fourth was near a road that leads to the city's main mosque.

On Sunday, there were reports of renewed violence in the area, though no official figures were released on the number of people who may have been wounded or killed.

Police have not said whether they believe the bombings were related to the church attacks. The two areas are about 320 miles (520 kilometers) apart.

The group blamed for the church attacks — the radical Muslim sect known as Boko Haram — used to be based in Bauchi, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) from the area where the bombs went off. The group is now headquartered in Maiduguri, where the church attacks took place.

The African Union Commission's Chairman, Jean Ping, expressed shock and sadness at the explosions in Jos and church attacks in Maiduguri.

"He condemns in the strongest terms these cowardly terrorist attacks, which cannot be justified under any circumstances," said a statement released by his office Sunday.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed his sympathy to the victims' families and said the government will bring the perpetrators to justice.

"I assure Nigerians that government will go to the root of this," he said of the explosions. "We must unearth what caused it and those behind it must be brought to book."

Religious violence already has left more than 500 people dead this year in Jos and neighboring towns and villages, but the situation was believed to have calmed down before the weekend bombings. The explosions Friday were the first major attack in Jos since the state government lifted a curfew in May.

The curfew had first been imposed in November 2008 during postelection violence but it was extended in January following clashes between Christian and Muslim groups. More than 300 people — mostly Muslims — were killed in the January violence in Jos and surrounding villages.

Nigeria, a country of 150 million people, is almost evenly split between Muslims in the north and the predominantly Christian south. The blasts happened in central Nigeria, in the nation's "middle belt," where dozens of ethnic groups vie for control of fertile lands.

The violence, though fractured across religious lines, often has more to do with local politics, economics and rights to grazing lands. The government of Plateau state, where Jos is the capital, is controlled by Christian politicians who have blocked Muslims from being legally recognized as citizens. That has locked many out of prized government jobs in a region where the tourism industry and tin mining have collapsed in the last decades.

Police and the army have declined to identify suspects in the Jos bombings, and state governor David Jang would only say "we believe some highly placed people masterminded the attack." Authorities, though, already have blamed the radical Muslim sect Boko Haram for the Christmas Eve church attacks.

The radical Muslim sect, whose name means "Western education is sacrilege" in the Hausa language, was thought to be vanquished in 2009. Nigeria's military crushed its mosque into concrete shards, and its leader was arrested and died in police custody.

But now, a year later, Maiduguri and surrounding villages again live in fear of the group, whose members have assassinated police and local leaders and engineered a massive prison break, officials say. Western diplomats worry that the sect is catching the attention of al-Qaida's North Africa branch. It remains unclear what, if any, formal links al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb has made with Boko Haram.

The holiday violence in Nigeria comes as the president, a Christian from the south of Nigeria, is trying to unify the country to support him ahead of next year's election. Jonathan became president earlier this year following the death of Nigeria's elected Muslim leader, and some within his party feel the next leader should also be Muslim.

Party leaders had anticipated that Jonathan's predecessor would hold office for two, four-year terms like the Christian president before him. An unwritten agreement in the ruling People's Democratic Party calls for its presidential candidates to alternate between the Christian south and the Muslim north.

Associated Press Writer Ahmed Mohammed in Jos, Nigeria contributed to this report.