Imphal, November 02 2008: Extortion being the apparent reason house of a musician of a popular musical group came under bomb attack from suspected underground activists last night at around 10 .

The unidentified attackers exploded a handgrenade at the Khurai Salanthong Chaithabi Leirak residence of one H Dhana Singh (45), who plays saxophone in the Roop Raag musical group which is one of the oldest bands in the State.

The explosion, however, did not claim human casualty but caused damage to Dhana's verandah where the hand-grenade landed.

In denunciation of the attack local residents staged sit-in demonstration today with the protestors demanding clarification from the UG group concerned.

Police have also begun investigation on the incident.

"Dhana is leading a simple life as a musician and such an act deserves to be condemned in the strongest term," said programme in-charge of RR G Surchandra Sharma who also confided that a meeting might be convened to discuss the attack in addition to apprising the matter to Apunba Manipur Matam Eshei Kanglup, an apex body of Manipuri musical bands.

As was evident in the past activists of some banned armed groups usually resort to targeting residences of those who do not oblige monetary demands served against them.

Meanwhile, commando personnel of Bishnupur district police retrieved an explosive device found this morning from a hardware store in Ningthoukhong Keithel (bazar).

UGs nabbed: Army personnel arrested three UG cadres from three different places of Bishnupur district on the intervening night of November 1 and 2.In the first incident, at around 11:30 pm yesterday, troops 6 Jat Regiment arrested a PLA cadre identified as Toijam Romen (35) s/o Bhogen from near his house at Santhong Maning Leikai.

The same SF team arrested one PREPAK cadre today at around 12:45 am from his Moirang Phairembam house.

The arrested cadre has been identified as Konjengbam Jiten (29) s/o Manglem.

In yet another incident, 4/8 Gorkha Rifles also arrested today one PULF cadre from his Moirang Sabal Khunou house.

The captive has been identified as Md Abdul Rahman (31) s/o Abdul Qadir.

All the arrested UG cadres had been handed over to Moirang Police Station, police said.

Meanwhile, based on specific information, troops of 12 Maratha Light Infantry arrested one over ground worker of PULF (Azad) during a search operation at Chechhaba yesterday.

The individual has been identified as Tamijur Rehman (35) s/o Ajijur Rehman of Irong Chechhaba.

The arrested person had been handed over to Imphal Police Station yesterday.

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