Blast shatters security ring put up for Sangai festival, one AR man killed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 25 2013: One Assam Rifles personnel has been killed while a civilian lost consciousness at the impact of an IED blast at Keishampat near the water supply plant this afternoon amidst the heightened security arrangements put in place with special focus on the ongoing Manipur Sangai Festival.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, DG MK Das, who is currently in Delhi said, "The action is condemnable, more so in the backdrop of so many foreign visitors participating in the Sangai festival and international polo tournament.

Those involved are doing a great disservice to the fair name of Manipur and its rich culture" .

IGP (LO-I) L Kailun on being contacted said that they are yet to zero in on any clues, but added that intensive investigation has started.

Mangled remains of the grocery shop and the AR man being helped by his colleagues

The IED which exploded just inside the gate of the water supply plant at around 4 pm shattered the wall of an adjoining grocery shop.

The roof of the wall was also blown away.

The deceased AR personnel has been identified as Rajeev Sharma (33) from Himachal Pradesh.

He was posted at Singjamei Chingamakha post of 40 Assam Rifles.

The sound of the blast not only only had a deafening impact on grocery keeper Mutum Komol (50) of Sagolband Meino Leirak temporarily but it also rendered him unconscious.

He was taken to RIMS.

Rajeev Sharma who sustained multiple injuries was also taken to RIMS but he succumbed to the injuries.

According to information culled from the spot, a loud explosion was heard between Thoubal and Mayang Imphal bus parkings at Keishampat when people were busy hurrying home from work/offices leaving CRPF personnel guarding Raj Bhavan, police personnel and passers-by stunned for some moments.

Soon after the explosion, vehicles parked at the parking lots drove away in different directions.

Amidst the din, one AR personnel covered with dust all over the body was seen lying injured.

Immediately police personnel rushed in and took him to RIMS.

Later, Imphal West SP K Jayenta together with additional police force, DIG (Range-I) Clay Khongsai and IL (L/O-I) L Kailun came and inspected the blast site.

This was followed by an intensive search by a bomb squad.

Soon the area was also scanned by Assam Rifles using sniffer dogs.

According to a police officer, the explosive was a time bomb.

The site where the bomb exploded is a high security zone with security personnel guarding the power house in the South, BJP office in the North, Electricity Dept and the Raj Bhavan in the opposite direction.

Meanwhile, local people were in a panicky situation when a well packed packet was left behind at New Checkon Traffic Point.

Amidst heavy security deployed from Minuthong to Konung Mamang for the Sangai festival, one unidentified person placed the well packed packet at the traffic point and ran away at around 6 pm.

Police personnel in civilian fatigue posted nearby chased and caught the man.

The arrested man said that what he left behind was some pot.

This arouse a strong suspicion that the packet was an explosive.

On being inspected by bomb squad, the packet turned to be roasted pork legs.

The arrested man said that he was given the packet by a woman to be placed at the particular traffic point.

The man has been taken into police custody for further investigation.