Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 15:
Following the daring bomb attack at the residence of the Chief Minister by the proscribed PREPAK last night, security has been beefed across Imphal while bomb splinters and fragments which were found from the spot have been sent to the forensic laboratory to verify the type and make of the bomb.
Though the State Police Department did not officially admit that a bomb attack had been launched at the CM's residence last night, investigations have started in right earnest, now that the matter cannot be kept under wraps any longer.
Computer generated graphic description of the CM's bungalow and the surrounding areas and the spot where the bomb landed
During a spot inspection of the place where the bomb landed inside the CM's residential compound, police personnel found two fragments of the explosives today.
To determine the type of the bomb, the fragments have been handed over to forensic experts for necessary investigation.
The type and make of the bomb gains significance in the light of the earlier claim of PREPAK that it had used heavy mortars and bombs which have never been used in the valley areas of the State before.
The bomb attack at the CM's residence was also claimed by the outfit as its handiwork.
As the CM's residence is a highly fortified area with heavy security points all over, it is widely suspected that the bomb may have been fired from a long distance.
The use of RPG is not being ruled out.
However nothing conclusive has been reached as yet and the result from the forensic laboratory is being awaited.
It is also still not clear whether the surveillance cameras placed atop the concrete fencing of the CM's residence had recorded the direction from which the bomb was fired.
This has added another difficulty in the investigation currently underway.
A police officer said that the bomb may have been fired from Sanjenthong side as the other directions are high security zones and it would have been virtually impossible to carry the bomb and fire it from these directions.
The bomb landed on the northern side of the Chief Minister's Secretariat which is towards the western side of the compound.
Following last night's bomb attack, the CO of 130 CRPF, which is responsible for guarding the CM's residence came to the spot to take stock of the situation.
On his instructions security has been beefed up at the CM's residence.
DGP AK Parashar who has been at Delhi for the last few days returned today and soon on his arrival here convened a security meeting.
The security scenario was reviewed in depth during the meeting today and it was decided to tighten security in and around Imphal immediately.
A number of top ranking police officers including the IG (LO-1) S Dinokumar, IG (Intelligence) LM Khaute and the SPs of Imphal East and West were present at the meeting.
As evening descended, frisking points were set up at different places of Imphal and police personnel could be seen verifying the identities and antecedents of motorists at many points including, Khoyathong, Kangla Pat road (in front of GM Hall and Imphal Municipal Council office), North AOC, Sanjenthong etc.
Taking a serious note of the bomb attack at the CM's bungalow, security coverage of other Ministers and MLAs have also been tightened.