Minor girl killed, five others wounded in bomb blast
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 15 2012: A minor girl was killed and five other family members including a mother and her three daughters wounded seriously when a powerful bomb exploded at a house near Manipur Police Training School (MPTS) at Pangei today.

The incident occurred at around 8:40 am today.

The deceased victim has been identified as Pebam Chebinao (7) d/o Pebam Jila of Nambol Khabi but presently staying in a rented house belonging to one Okram Inaoton at Pangei Lairen near MPTS gate.

The injured victims have also been identified as Memi Tangkhul (40) second wife of Pebam Jila, Pebam Ningol Memcha (37) and her three daughters namely Anjali Kom (14), Tracy Kom (9) and Preety Kom (7) .

Memcha was married to one Angourei Kom of Moirang Panthak, but after separation has been staying at her father's house at Pangei along with her three daughters.

Her fourth daughter is reportedly staying with her husband Angourei Kom at Moirang.

Nurses attending to one of the injured blast victim

The injured have been admitted to JNIMS at Porompat and Raj Poly Clinic at North AOC where their conditions stated to be critical.

Speaking to Hueiyen Lanpao, Memcha recalled that she was stepping out of the house for taking a bath at the backyard when the explosion occurred inside the house.

Whether the bomb was hurled by some miscreants from the main road or was already inside the house could not be ascertained as of now.

Memcha further recalled that just after the explosion, she rushed in only to found the body parts of her minor step-sister Chebinao scattered all around from the impact of the powerful blast.

Chebinao's head was found atop the tin sheet covering the house and her other body parts strewed inside the room.

Top police officials including Additional SP of Imphal East, Dr AK Jhalajit, SDPO RK Khomdon, SDPO of Heingang and OC came to the spot for inspection and enquiry.

According to explosive experts of Manipur Police, the bomb, which exploded, may be an IED.

The impact of the explosion was so great that it tore apart 14 tin sheets covering the house.

The walls of the house also suffered substantial damage.

Pebam Jila is a said to be a retired Jamandar of 8th MR and is now working in a vehicle workshop at Pangei bazaar.

Heignang Police have registered a case in connection with the incident and investigation started.

Meanwhile, Women Action for Development (WAD) has strongly condemned the bomb blast which claimed the life of a minor girl and caused injury to 5 other women including three minors.

In a statement, WAD described the blast as an inhuman act and denounced violence of such nature against women, girls and children in particular and human mankind in general.

The organization has also appealed to the authority concerned to investigate into the incident and book the culprits and also to check and control proliferation of arms and ammunitions to avoid such unwanted incidents in future.

It has also expressed heartfelt sorrow to the bereaved family members and asked the government to provide maximum help for the treatment of the injured victims.