Two killed, two hurt in Ukhrul blast
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray

Ukhrul, September 18 2014: A young college girl and her aunt were killed while two other persons were seriously injured when a powerful bomb exploded at Viewland bazaar in Ukhrul on Wednesday evening.

The blast occurred at around 5.30PM at Neetu Glass, a hardware store in Viewland Bazaar of Ukhrul during the busy evening hour.

The victim girl was identified as Sosonao Tangva, 17, daughter of Wungpam and an undergraduate student of Pettigrew College, Ukhrul.

Her aunt identified as AS Dinah, a former president of Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL), died on the way at Lambui at around 8.45 PM while being rushed to Imphal.

She sustained critical head injury on the head, thigh and back, was referred to Imphal's JNIMS after administering first aid treat at Ukhrul district hospital.

The two victims hailed from Nungbi Khullen village, Ukhrul.

Two killed, two hurt in Ukhrul blast

A team of medical experts from Imphal arrived at Ukhrul this morning and conducted an autopsy on the dead bodies at the morgue of Ukhrul district hospital.

The mortal remains were later taken away to their native village after a public condolence service was held at TNL ground.

On the other hand, the two other injured persons have been identified as Neetu Glass proprietor, Rajendra Choudhury and his salesman, Gutu.

After being treated at CHSRC, a private hospital in Ukhrul, both of them were brought to Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, Imphal for further treatment.

Their condition is stated to be stable.

No group or individuals have claimed responsible for the blast so far, however, police sources said the blast was probably triggered by an IED since it spread a perilous splinter impact with bags of nails found lying at the entrance of the shop.

The victim girl and her aunt were reportedly passing by the shop when the explosion took place.

Ukhrul was dubbed by media as the 'bomb capital of Manipur' last year as nine explosions happened in and around the town in two-month time.

Wednesday evening's incident was the first this year in the district headquarters.

Meanwhile, various organisations including United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Women's Union (NWU) and All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Tangkhul Scholars' Association,Maun Tombing-led All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM) , Tangkhul Katamnaolong Imphal (TKLI), Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE) Manipur, UNMM, etc have strongly condemned the bomb blast at Ukhrul town in the evening of September 17, which led to the lost of two precious lives and injuries to two others.