29 bomb blasts in less than two months
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 21 2015 :
Since the beginning of this year till February 19, there were 29 bomb blasts in different parts of the State.
The blasts claimed one civilian and injured 21 others including three women and two children.
According to news reports published in Imphal-based newspapers, in addition to the 29 bomb blasts, 15 bombs were detected before they went off.
Out of these 15 bombs, nine bombs were retrieved and set off safely by bomb disposal squads of Manipur.
There were altogether 44 incidents of bomb blasts and bomb plantations between January 1 and February 19 this year.
This figure is 15 more than last year's figure for the corresponding period.
Of the 21 people who sustained injuries in 29 cases of bomb blasts this year, nine were security personnel and 12 civilians.
During the corresponding period in 2014, seven persons sustained injuries in bomb blasts.
Out of the seven victims, six were security personnel.
10 out of the 29 cases of bomb blasts occurred within Imphal city.
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Taking serious note of the series of bomb blasts, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam announced that foot patrolling exercise by police would be enhanced in and around the capital city.
The DGP went a step farther by declaring that an action plan has been formulated to check bomb blasts in Imphal city.
But how effective is the action plan remains a big question.
Even as four police personnel, two women and one non-local were wounded in a bomb blast in the heart of Imphal city a couple of days back, Manipur Police are still clueless regarding the identity of the perpetrators.
This failure of Manipur police demands serious introspection, said one concerned citizen.
There is a lurking fear among the public about when and where a bomb may explode and kill or maim them.
Against the total 44 cases of bomb blasts and bomb plantation, different UG groups claimed their hands in 16 cases.
But 28 cases went unclaimed thereby evoking a serious question as to who were those people transporting, planting and triggering bomb blasts in high security zones.
District-wise division of the 44 cases of bomb blasts and bomb plantation is 17 in Imphal West, nine in Imphal East, four each in Thoubal, Ukhrul and Bishnupur, five in Chandel and one in Churachandpur.
One senior police officer of Imphal West district police informed that security measures have been tightened in and around Imphal city but these measures are still unable to check bomb blasts in Imphal city.
The situation demands installation of more CCTV cameras.
However, the police officer refused to give any comment on the question of whether there are any lapses in the Home Department's policy or shortage in the department's infrastructure.