Imphal, March 08: With a daring grenade attack at the State Assembly today, the whole security arrangement in the capital city and the administrative headquarters have been reduced to a farce today.

Amidst the numerous security personnel deployed in the Imphal city, more particularly in the surrounding areas of the Assembly building since the Assembly session began on February 20, some unidentified persons lobbed a country made hand grenade at the State Assembly at about 11.45 this morning.

However, there was no human casualty in the attack even as the grenade exploded at the VIP lounge of the Assembly building, said police sources.

As there is no session today, none of the Ministers and MLAs were present in the Assembly other than a few officials at the time of the explosion.

According to police sources, the grenade was hurled from the opposite side of the VIP gate of the Assembly building.

The VIP gate is used only by the Governor, the Chief Minister and the Speaker for entry and exit from the Assembly premises.

At the time of the attack, there was no security personnel in the security tower located just beside the VIP gate even though it was closed today.

While personnel of the 1st IRB have been looking after the security arrangement of the Assembly building, personnel of 8th Bn CRPF E-Coy are being stationed in Tombisana High School located just opposite to the Assembly building to strengthen the security arrangement.

Unlike the previous days when entry of vehicles in the Assembly road was prevented, there was no such restriction today as there was no Assembly session.

Police have recovered the pin of the grenade from a spot about 10 feet away from the VIP gate.

In addition, some splinters were also recovered from the blast site.

As Speaker S Budhichandra and top police officials including DGP Y Joykumar rushed to the site on receiving information of the attack, police commandos sealed all entry and exit points of the Imphal city.

This was followed by a thorough frisking and checking of all the individuals coming out from the Bazar at the exit points.

Soon after the blast, the Assembly road was closed and parking lots in front of the GM Hall and the Speaker's bungalow were cleared off all vehicles.

Reacting to the blast, Speaker Dr S Budhichandra said that the attack was hard to imagine.

Terming it unfortunate, the Speaker said that he had no idea as to the possible motive of the attack.

He informed that the attack will be delivered in the State Assembly on Monday.

Veteran MPP leader O Joy observed that the attack on State Assembly which is the centre of parliamentary democracy is most unfortunate.

While strongly condemning the attack, he also hinted at some lapses in the security arrangement.

MLA Dr I Ibohalbi termed the attack as an act of cowardice.

He called upon all to keep the State Assembly safe as it is the highest place to 'correct all the wrongs and set things rights'.

MLA E Kunjeshore also strongly condemned the attack saying that it was destructive.

MLA Th Lokeshore too condemned the blast.

On the other hand, DGP Y Joykumar only said that security arrangement has been strengthened.

Imphal West SP Clay Khongsai informed that a thorough cordon and search operation has been launched in the aftermath of the attack.

At the time of the blast, Chief Minister O Ibobi was away at Senapati to lay foundation stone for a district sports complex.

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