Imphal, September 02: Earlier it was a bomb blast in the bazar areas that led the Government to ban the entry of all civil vehicles in the market areas of Imphal and today it is a decision to keep all the routes leading to the CM's residence and VIP areas out of bounds for civil vehicles everyday from 6 pm till 7 am the next day, following the bomb attack at the CM's residence last night by the proscribed PREPAK.

Calling it a measure to strengthen security in and around the CM's bungalow and VIP areas, the SSP of Imphal West today issued a statement that a new traffic regulation has been enforced from 6 pm till 7 am the next day until further orders.

To ensure the safety and security of the Chief Minister and VIPs, the Government has decreed that no civil vehicles will be allowed to come from Palace Gate towards Sanjenthong and NH-39.They will be diverted towards Minuthong and Thumbuthong as the case may be.

No civil vehicles coming from Imphal bazar/Western Gate of Kangla will be allowed to move towards the direction of the CM's bungalow and instead they will be diverted towards Keishampat bridge at Nityaipat Chuthek.

The order further said that no civil vehicles coming from Keishampat bridge and jail road shall be allowed to proceed in the direction of the CM's residence along NH-39.Instead they will be diverted towards north along NH-39.A similar ban has also been imposed on civil vehicles coming towards the CM's bungalow and VIP areas on NH-39.They will be diverted towards Pishumthong from Chingamakhong crossing.

Likewise all civil vehicles coming along NH-39 shall be allowed to proceed towards the CM's residence and VIP areas and instead they will be diverted towards Keishamthong bridge from Singh and Co oil pump at Moirangkhom.

Earlier, following the bomb attack, a search operation was launched at Babupara area and though the operation was not conducted on a large scale manner, a massive search operation was conducted from early morning today after sealing off all the routes leading to the CM's residence.

All civilians were kept out of bounds on the routes leading to the CM's residence and Government officials coming to attend office were allowed to pass through after proper verification.

The operation went on till 10 am.

Even as the operation was on, the Chief Minister convened a meeting today at his office at 8 am to discuss the attack as well as the measures to be taken up.

Senior Cabinet Ministers Th Debendra, YAS Minister N Biren, Chief Secretary Rakesh, DGP Y Joykumar, SSP of Imphal West L Kailun and SP of Imphal East Th Radheshyam attended the meeting.

Though details of the meeting are not available, the Chief Minister reportedly issued strict instructions to all concerned to improve the security situation.

This was not the first time the CM's residence has come under attack.

In November 2006, PREPAK had launched a bomb attack and following this the security at the CM's residence was beefed up and CCTVs were installed at strategic points around the bungalow.

Bomb experts again inspected the spot where the bomb landed yesterday and necessary after action has been taken up.

It is significant to note security has been breached many times earlier at the highly fortified Babupara area where apart from the CM, a number of VIPs are housed and important offices such as the Police Headquarters are located.

Just opposite to Babupara is the Secretariat, where the Chief Secretary sits as do many other Ministers.

The office of the SP of Imphal West is located bang opposite Babupara.

Some time back, the KCP (MC) had exploded a scooter fitted bomb in the very heart of Babupara while PREPAK cadres had also snatched an AK-47 rifle from a security personnel and made good their escape along with ammos.

A search operation at Babupara areas had also netted a number of militants from the official residences of some MLAs some time back.

Meanwhile another meeting was held at the office of the Chief Minister from 3.30 pm till 6.30 pm.

Senior Ministers, DGP Y Joykumar, Principal Secretary (Home) DS Poonia, IG (Intelligence) and other officials were present at the meeting.

Talking to The Sangai Express a reliable source said that during the meeting the DGP said that the lethod may have been fired from a vehicle passing by the Chief Minister's residence.

The police chief informed the meeting that security measures were in place as before and added that check posts were stationed at Sanjenthong and Nupi Lan complex as done earlier last night too.

The DGP further informed the meeting that the police is greatly handicapped as timely reports of threats or intimidations from militants to the VIPs are not lodged, said the source and added that the police official also suggested some measures which may be taken up at the CM's residence.

After the meeting, the CM held another round of meeting with his Cabinet colleagues, said the source and it was decided that the CM's security would be strengthened.

Noting that the wall erected around the CM's residence is not in line with the situation here, it was decided that the walls would be built along the line of the walls built around the Raj Bhawan.

It was also decided to shift the office of the DIPR from its present location so that the Police Headquarters lies just next to the CM's residence.

The meeting also reiterated the earlier decision to shift all private buildings from Babupara area, said the source further.