Blast rocks Ukhrul's Mini Secretariat, no casualty
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, March 21 2023:
Barely a day after recovery of an IED in front of the PHED office at Phungreitang, a suspected IED bomb exploded inside the Mini Secretariat complex, Hamleikhong on Tuesday evening, creating a sense of panic and insecurity among the public.
No casualty has been reported, though.
Ukhrul police have registered a suo-moto case and launched an investigation into the incidents.
Police said that the explosion took place around 4:35 pm, adding that the bomb was suspected to have been lobbed from the outside of the eastern wall adjoining the town's main road, NH-202A.Though there was no human casualty, the explosion caused damage to a portion of a concrete drainage channel near the eastern wall of the north-eastern block which is some 60 feet from the campus wall.
The mini-secretariat comprising four blocks house the offices of the deputy commissioner, SP, DRDA and other departments.
the explosion was caused by an improvised IED with low intensity, police said.
Following the incident, DC Krishna Kumar briefed media persons and said that a bomb was hurled from outside which then exploded inside the Mini Secretariat Complex.
He further said that there was no human casualty, adding that enquiry is being made by the security agencies to find out the culprits and also to maintain the law and order, security agencies have been deployed.
He also appealed to the public to cooperate with the security agencies and provide information to find out the culprits.
"To maintain peace and harmony and for the safety of the people of Ukhrul district, we have to join hands to fight such kinds of ill practices," he said.
It may be mentioned here that a suspected IED was'found placed inside a polythene carry bag in front of Ukhrul PHED office around 5:30 pm on Monday.
Sources said that one of the department's staffers first discovered the suspicious items lying on the pavement of the main entrance of the office gate.
On closer inspection, the staff found the items wrapped in a black polythene bag fitted with a battery and a digital signal light box that was sealed with cello tape and immediately reported it to his superiors.
On receiving the report, a team of Ukhrul police led by SP Ningshem Vashum and personnel of 35 Assam Rifles rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area as a safety measure until a bomb squad team from Imphal arrived.
The police said that with the help of the bomb squad the remote controlled IED bomb was safely defused and detonated around 8:30 am on Tuesday in an isolated area.
In connection with the incident, the police have registered a suo moto case under FIR No.08(14)2023/ UKL-PS under Section 400/34IPC and Section 4 of Explosive Substances Act, 1908, and have begun investigation.
Meanwhile, the entire staff members of PHED Ukhrul Division on Tuesday staged a sit-in protest at the office premises decrying the act of creating a panicky situation for the staffers and the general public.
No individuals or groups have claimed responsibilities for the incidents till the time of filing this report.