High security PWD office complex breached, three hurt in blast
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 14 2011: At least three persons, including a lady Engineer, suffered injuries of varying degree when a powerful IED (improvised explosive device) exploded inside the complex of the high-security Public Works Department office located at near Khoyathong Bazar.

According to police sources, the explosion occurred at around 1.30 pm today.

With the exception of the Department employees and authorised vehicles, all other visitors/individuals are thoroughly frisked by state and central security force personnel manning the main entry gate.

The explosion is informed to have taken place at the top-tier corridor of a three-storeyed building, close to the Highway (South) Engineering Section of the Department.

Speaking to newspersons soon after the blast, Additional DGP V Zathang said that the blast was not triggered by remote control and confirmed injuries suffered by three persons, out of whom condition of one is stated to be serious.

The room at the PWD office complex which bore the impact of the blast

He speculated that the explosive device might have been placed either late night yesterday or early morning today.

Conceding that coming to the conclusion with regard to involvement of UG group, if any, at the juncture would be premature, the police officer said the incident would be investigated to ascertain if there were any security lapses.

Meanwhile, sources informed that teams of Manipur police carried out search operation at the sprawling office complex, which also have offices of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department and Public Health Engineering Department.

It is said that the search operation was launched based on information about a bomb being planted at the office premises.

Newspersons who went to collect information were denied access to the office campus by the CRPF personnel manning the main gate.

Eyewitnesses claimed to have heard a deafening sound at around 1.30 pm which was followed by dark smoke billowing from the top floor corridor.

Impact of the blast shattered window-panes close to the site of the explosion as security forces sealed the main gate.

Apart from three CID and eight Home Guard personnel present inside the office complex at the time of the blast, the office is manned by a section of 69 Bn CRPF.

Even though 'Dec 14 non-visitor day' notice was put up at the only entry gate, police were seen carrying away several persons in 3/4 Mini truck loads for verification, from inside the PWD complex after the blast.

It is pertinent to add that following various instances of threat and intimidation to officials and employees of the three engineering departments, CRPF personnel had been deployed at the office campus some years back.

Those who suffered injuries in the explosion have been identified as National Highway-IV Section Officer Haorungbam Nirmala (27) of Sagolband Sayang Pukhri Mapal, Highway (South) Engineering Section employee Seram Yaima (41) of Khongman Atom Leirak and another employee of the same Section namely Md Manal (44) of Lilong Leihaokhong.

Of the three, condition of Yaima, who suffered bomb splinter wounds on the face, legs and hands, is stated to be serious.

Yaima and Nirmala have been admitted to RIMS Hospital.

A lady LDC reportedly lost consciousness.

While security personnel were maintaining vigil in and around the PWD complex after the blast, another incident at the nearby Khoyathong Traffic Point created added to the panicky situation as a Maruti Van was engulfed in flame.

Even though fire Service personnel managed to put out the fire, the vehicle was burnt beyond recovery.

back at the PWD complex, experts of police bomb squad and forensic science scanned the area.

some employees told the waiting media persons that the blast flipped open the tin-roof of the upper floor besides causing substantial damage to the floor, furniture and walls.

While other top officials of the Police Department arrived at the area of blast, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Md Alauddin Khan enquired condition of the injured employees at the hospital.

While condemning the blast as an act of terrorism, the Minister pledged all possible support in the treatment of the injured persons, whom he informed were staff members of Manipur State Rural Road Development, an implementing agency under the PWD.