Imphal, March 30 2009: At least eight persons including several women suffered injuries when a hand grenade hurled by miscreants went off at Mayang Imphal Bazar located only about 100 meters from Mayang Imphal Police Station around 7.45 pm today.

The injured persons were taken to RIMS hospital where they are being treated for minor injuries.

The injured persons have been identified as 12 year-old Preety daughter of Maibam Sharat (injured at the left calf), Laishram Mikoi (50) wife of Ibomcha (injured at left calf and eyebrow), Moirangthem Amu (57) wife of Biramani (at the back side), , Laishram Deban (40) son of late Yaima (at the left eye), Thoudam Bino (38) wife of Tombi (at the back), Sagolsem Ibochouba (34) son of Ibungo (at the leg), Md Abdul Majid (14) son of Md Abdul Helim and md Hussain (15) son of Md Baniyamin.

The bomb exploded at a spot located between a shop run by one Maibam Sharat and the market place in the midst of the crowd of the market.

A major tragedy which could have occurred by the blast was averted by the injured 12-year old Prity who threw away the bomb when it falls inside her father's shop where she was staying with her mother and customers.

Two youths seem to belong to Muslim community lobbed the bomb inside the shop, the injured Prity said adding that on knowing that it was a explosive material she hold up immediately and threw away.

"I come to know the things lobbed inside the shop by one of the youths, I immediately collect it and threw away outside the shop," the little girl attending medical treatment at RIMS Hospital said.

The bomb hit to a pillar of the market shed and felt on the ground after bouncing back and exploded there, she added.

The time which the bomb exploded was crowded timing of the market.

Injured people were first given first aids to the New Life Health Clinic.

Later some of them have been brought up to the RIMS hospital by the Mayang Imphal police who rushed to the spot immediately after the blast took place.