Twin blasts rock Imphal : At least 9 killed in Nagamapal blast
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 13 2013 : At least nine persons, all labourers, were killed while 11 others were injured, when a powerful bomb exploded inside a working shed located on the slab cover put up over Naga Nullah at Nagamapal today at about 7.30 pm under City police.

The blast site is located a little distance to the south of and opposite to Pukhri Achouba, Khoyathong.

While five of them died at the spot, three succumbed at RIMS and one at Shija.

The condition of another at Shija is stated to be critical.

The 11 injured persons, were rushed to RIMS from where three were later referred to Shija.

Police source said that they suspect the blast was triggered by an IED and was planted beneath the hardboard inside the working shed.

All the labourers were engaged by Simplex Project Limited, Kolkata, which has been entrusted with the task of laying the slabs over Naga Nullah as well as to build the embankment.

The DGP along with top police officials at RIMS

Till the time of filing this report, the identities of the killed and the injured could not be confirmed.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who also holds the Home portfolio has strongly condemned the incident and shared the grief and pain of the bereaved family members.

Top ranking police officials, including DGP MK Das, ADGP PM Goud, IGP (L&O-I) L Kailun and DIG (Range-I) Clay Khongsai rushed to RIMS hospital to inquire about the injured as well as to take stock of the situation.

Earlier in the day, a civilian was injured when a suspected IED went off close to a public waiting shed and a few distance from Khurai Popular High School in Khurai Laishram Leikai along the Imphal-Ukhrul road today.

The proscribed RPF has claimed reponsibility for the blast.

In a statement, the outfit claimed that the bomb blast near a waiting shed in the vicinity of Khurai Popular High School was carried out by a special warfare group of its armed wing PLA.

The outfit further claimed PLA's 252 mobile battalion attacked a camp of the Indian military at Ashi village, Chandel district at 1.45 pm of September 9 and inflicted casualties on some Indian military personnel.

Saying that today's bomb attack was carried out targeting a team of Assam Rifles, the outfit conveyed sincere regret for the casualty suffered by a civilian.

In all the battles fought by the PLA, the PLA was victorious because of people's faith and assistance provided to the party.

It further sought people's continued support and assistance to the party's liberation movement.

Impact of the blast blew away the roof portion of the waiting shed, shattered windscreen of an autorickshaw parked near the blast site and caused injuries to the auto driver.

The blast, which occured at around 10.30 am, created a large crater on the ground and twisted CI sheets of a waiting shed where some personnel of the Assam Rifles, apparently on ROP duty, were also present.

While injury, if any, suffered by the Assam Rifles, cannot be confirmed till the time of filing this report, information has been received about an autorickshaw operator suffering bomb splinter wounds on his left hand.

The injured person has been identified as Ningthoukhongjam Roben (40) s/o Mohendro of Keibi Makha Leikai.

Strongly condemning the blast at the public place, Khurai laishram Leikai Zilla Parishad member Kangabam Bimola said the waiting shed used to serve as boarding and dropping zone for school students as well as the general public.