Chingmeirong bomb blast
KCP (MC) apologises, protest staged
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 04: Claiming responsibility for the bomb blast at Chingmeirong last night in which a youth was hurt and shops demolished, the KCP (MC) today said that the blast was a mistake and sought the pardon of all concerned.

A protest was staged today at Chingmeirong to decry the bomb blast.

In a statement, secretary military affairs of the outfit, Lanheiba Meitei said that the bomb was to target the patrol party of the Alpha Company of Assam Rifles.

The attack was to be carried out by Unit V Lanjaba of the outfit.

Dharna staged to protest the bomb blast at Chingmeirong

In bomb went off accidentally as there were some problems in its frequency, said Lanheiba and added two cadres of the outfit were seriously injured in the blast.

The injured cadres and the others managed to make their way to the unit Hqs due to the help provided by the people, it claimed.

Lanheiba Meitei also appealed to all not to stage sit-in-protest against the bomb blast as it was a mistake.

As planting a bomb to attack security forces is a new technique for them and in the absence of remote control devices, utmost care was taken while it was being set up, said Lanheiba.

With security forces on the look out for KCP (MC) cadres, it was not an easy task to plant the bomb, said the statement.

Meanwhile decrying the bomb blast incident near the community hall at Chingmeirong Mamang Leikai last night, a sit-in-protest was staged at Chingmeirong Mamang Leikai today.

One person was wounded and six shops were damaged in the last night blast.

Participated by a large number of people, placards with slogans like 'We condemned bomb blast in populated area', 'We demand an explanation on the incident from all concerned', 'We want peace', 'Working against the interest of the people would not bring any good' were seen being used during the protest demonstration Ahead of the protest demonstration, a public meeting was held to discuss the incident which has send shock waves and panic among the people.

During the course of the meeting, an adhoc committee called the JAC Against the Bomb Blast at Chingmeirong was formed.

Giving five days time, the JAC has sought an explanation from all concerned including the UG groups and the State Government in connection with the incident.

Wondering how could the blast occur inspite of security posts locating all round the area, the JAC demanded the Government to pay compensation to the injured victim as well as to the owners of the damaged shops.