Terror blast at Sangakpham kills five including two girl students
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 01 2011: At least five persons including two girl students have been killed while eight others sustained injuries as a powerful bomb blast rocked Sangakpham Bazar here this afternoon.

The powerful bomb exploded at about 1.40 pm in front of a grocery shop and a barber's shop, opposite to Sangakpham Keithel.

It is suspected that the explosive might be a powerful IED fitted in an NV scooter.

According to DGP Y Joykumar, the bomb would have been fitted in a two-wheeler.

Saying that investigation is going on, the DGP maintained that it would be too early to say which UG group was behind the bomb attack.

The two girls killed in the explosion have been identified as Thokchom Aping alias Neha (10) d/o Basanta of Sangakpham Awang Leikai and Philaso (10) d/o Kachipkhui of Marou village, Phungyar sub-division but staying at Poumai colony.

The two girls were studying together at Chingmeirong Primary School in Class III.

They were fast friends and were returning home from school walking side by side when the powerful blast struck them.

TERROR AT WORK : Chief Minister O Ibobi arriving at the blast site, body of a victim retrieved by police, an injured man at hospital, remains of a scooter suspected to have been fitted with the bomb

Neha's body was found inside the grocery store and Philaso's body in the barber shop.

The barber identified as Jawahir Thakur (45) from Bihar and his son Munna Thakur were also killed inside their saloon.

Another man who has not been identified till the time of filing this report was found in front of the shop.

The impact of the blast was so powerful that ripped, charred human flesh, clothes, pulverised parts of vehicles and other debris were found scattered all over the place.

Window panes of many houses around the blast site were also shattered in addition to snapping the power line.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, Ministers and MLAs came to the area and inspected the blast.

They also visited the injured victims at RIMS.

Strongly condemning the bomb attack, the Chief Minister has declared that all efforts will be made to nab the culprits.

The State Government has also announced ex-gratia of Rs one lakh to the next of kin of deceased persons, Rs 75000 to persons with permanent disability, Rs 50,000 to seriously injured victims and Rs 10,000 to persons with minor injuries, in addition to free treatment of all injured persons.

Explosive experts of Manipur Police have also inspected the blast site.

So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the blast.

Notably, quarters of ADC members are located a little distance away from the blast site.

On July 28, police retrieved an IED fitted scooter from a hostel located near today's blast site.

Before this, a car bomb ripped ADC office complex located inside Khuman Lampak complex on May 28 .

A similar blast killed 18 people including surrenderees and civilians on October 21, 2008 at Ragailong.

Those victims who sustained injuries in today's explosion are S Ibomcha (57) of Heingang Makha Leikai, Chongtham Ekasini Devi (45) of Nagamapal Singjubung, Sorokhaibam Shanti Devi (30) of Lei Ingkhol, Maibam German (250 of Sangakpham and Thongam Sanjoy (30) of Lei Ingkhol.

All of them are undergoing treatment at RIMS.

Taorem Keinahanbi (48) of Laipham Khunou was also admitted to RIMS but she was shifted to Shija Hospital.

Thokchom Cleopatra (32) of Achanbigei and Rebika Tangkhul (50) of Chingmeirong were admitted in JNIMS.

Meanwhile, the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) has strongly condemned the bomb blast.

In a statement, the AMUCO decried the act of triggering the bomb in civilian areas and dubbed it as treacherous and inhuman.

Those who planned and triggered the bomb blast should explain their action to the public, and those organisations working for the people should investigate the incident and inform the truths and facts to the anguished public, said statement.

It further sought the attention of the Government and urged it to conduct a thorough investigation and take up all necessary measures.

The Paomai Colony Development Board has also condemned the bomb blast as an inhuman act of terrorism.

The board also conveyed solidarity to all the victims and their families.

The identity of the group responsible for the blast is yet to be ascertained.