Police identify group behind bazar blast
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 17 2019:
Police have claimed that the bomb blast which injured one civilian and five police personnel on November 5 at Thangal Bazar was carried out by the proscribed RPF.
Briefing media persons at Imphal West District Police headquarters this evening, IGP K Jayenta said that investigation into the blast led to arrest of three RPF/PLA cadres along with bombs.
The investigation is going on and other cadres of the militant outfit involved in the blast have also been identified, said the IGP.
Saying that such violence in crowded civilian areas is an act of cowardice, Jayenta appealed to all concerned not to repeat such violent activities in future.
SP K Meghachandra who was also present at the present meet said that police, acting on a specific information, carried out a cordon and search operation at Khwairamband Keithel on November 16 .
As Kanglei Economic Development Organisation (KEDO) member Asheibam Budha (38) s/o Pishak of Andro Khuman Nungyungbi was found in a suspicious manner, he was questioned in the course of the search operation.
Budha identified himself as a KEDO member and told police that he used to watch over merchandises of women vendors at night.
He also disclosed that he and two others carried out a bomb (IED) blast at 9.20 am of November 5 at Thangal Bazar, SP Meghachandra said.
He further disclosed that another IED had been already planted at Ngari Gali, Thangal Bazar.
As such, the IED was retrieved safely, said the SP.
On the disclosure of A Budha, Chingakham Basanta alias Khambaton (33) s/o Ningthembi of Andro Khuman Nungyungbi was arrested from his wife's residence located at Andro Awang Leikai.
Further Budha's younger brother A Dhaneshwar alias Thane was also arrested, Meghachandra conveyed.
Two explosive cakes weighing around Rs 1.8 Kg each, two battery detonators equipped with timer and two mobile phones were recovered from their possession, said the SP.
It has been learnt from the recent incident that RPF/PLA uses widows and economically deprived people in such activities of extortion and violence, he said.
He also decried the allegation of some CSOs that the recent bomb blast was carried out by law enforcing agencies.
SP Meghachandra then appealed to all the people to inform police if they come across any suspicious person or object.