PREPAK (Pro) triggers bomb at CM bungalow gate
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 10, 2013:
In transgression of the multi-tier strict security system maintained in and around the Chief Minister's Bungalow, a bomb fitted in a cell phone device exploded at the main entrance gate of Chief Minister's Bungalow at round 7 pm here today.
However, no one was hurt in the explosion.
Meanwhile, Senior Publicity Officer of PREPAK (Pro) has claimed that the bomb was triggered by Special Task Force-II of the outfit.
Though the bomb blast did not cause any substantial damage, some wall plaster near the entrance gate got shattered.
The explosion took place near the main gate, which is now not used frequently.
The bomb went off at a distance of just about three feet from the gate.
The spot where the bomb exploded is usually manned by personnel of Imphal West Reserve Police Force during daytime and Imphal West Police Commando during night time.
The explosion took place at the time when there were no security personnel due to shifting of personnel for duty.
It is assumed that the underground cadres had taken the advantage of absence of security personnel to hurl the bomb at the main gate of Chief Minister's Bungalow.
Hueiyen Lanpao reporters rushed to the spot as soon as the news of bomb blast came in.
The police commandos showed some broken parts of a mobile phone gathered from the explosion site.
They claimed that the bomb might have been fitted in a cell phone device.
An explosive expert told Hueiyen Lanpao that if the bomb is fitted in a mobile phone device, it could have been planted at the spot earlier.
The mobile bomb cannot be triggered by just hurling.
It has to be activated through another mobile device.
Police Commandos were on duty at Keishampat Bridge, Paona Bazar, Sanjenthong, Kangla Western Gate and Moirangkhom near Krishna Premi Oil City at the time of bomb explosion.
Frisking of passerby people intensified soon after the blast.
DIG Range-I Clay Khongsai, SP of Imphal West K Jayenta and other police officials rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation.
A large number of police personnel conducted search operations to nab the culprits, but so far no arrest has been reported.
Earlier, a bomb squad searched for explosive devices along Kangla Moat near Chief Minister's Bungalow in the afternoon.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who is also in-charge of Home Department, also inspected the spot.
Later, he along with DGP held a meeting with Chief Minister Okram Ibobi to discuss the prevailing law and order situation of the State.
Talking to media persons at his quarter after the meeting with Chief Minister, Gaikhangam said that though the bomb attack was not so fierce, the Home Department has taken it seriously as it happened just at the main gate of Chief Minister's Bungalow.
New security measures have to be implemented to further strengthen the existing security system of Chief Minister's Bungalow, he noted.
The Chief Minister's Bungalow was targeted for the second time.
Police personnel are manning outside the Bungalow while CISF personnel are guarding inside the Bungalow with sentry posts near the entrance gates.
Security measures would be beefed up, Gaikhangam said.
He further said that all security arrangement made by top officials would be futile if the personnel on duty at the spots are negligent.
Security personnel need to be sincere and honest while discharging their responsibilities, the Deputy Chief Minister added.
When asked about the failure of CCTV cameras installed in Imphal area, Gaikhangam clarified that lack of proper agreement with the companies coupled with inadequate power supply have been factors for improper surveillance through CCTV cameras.
All these loopholes would be rectified within a short period of time, he averred.
While claiming hands in the bomb blast at Chief Minister's Bungalow, PREPAK (Pro) also owned up hurling a hand grenade at Route 39 restaurant at Mantripukhri.
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