3 hurt in blast
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 17 2013 :
At least three persons sustained injuries when a powerful bomb exploded at Route 39 Restaurant, Mantripukhri at around 6.45 pm today.
The bomb exploded on the first floor of the building.
One private security guard, a waiter and a salesman of the adjacent showroom sustained injuries in the explosion.
All of them are said to be out of danger.
According to a source, a man wearing helmet came up the restaurant carrying a polythene bag which he left there.
A powerful blast rocked the restaurant soon after the man went down.
The impact of the blast shattered decorative glass em-bedded in the ceiling and ripped apart polythene sheets and railing posts of the staircase.
The man who reportedly planted the bomb left in an unregistered Yamaha FZ motorcycle.
Later, DIG Clay Khongsai and Imphal East SP Kamei Angam Romanus came and inspected the blast site.
Footage of CC TV cameras installed in and around the restaurant have been seized by Imphal East Addl SP Rajen for due investigation.
Those injured in the blasts are private security guard Sarif Khan (18) s/o Abdul Samat of Lilong Turel Ahanbi, salesman of adjacent Yokohama showroom Md Sakir (17) s/o Habibullah of Lilong and waiter Bhopen (21) of Nambol.
According to Sarif Khan, parties are organised in the restaurant every Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the last week of every month and all the customers are body searched before they are allowed entry.
There was no party day before and after Independence Day, and today Sarif did not frisk anybody.
Though police have not said anything about the owner of the plot and proprietor of the restaurant, sources informed that the restaurant was opened by one Thounaojam Rishikanta of Utlou.