KCP (MC) attacks Raj Bhavan
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 21 2008: After the Chief Minister's official complex came under attack with bombs on more than one occasion this year, Raj Bhavan, official residence of the Governor was targeted today with bombs.

In a daring attack in the midst of heavy presence of security personnel at the heart of Imphal city, cadres of the proscribed KCP (MC) lobbed two bombs at the Raj Bhavan just near the sentry post manned by CRPF personnel at about 5.35 pm today.

This is the second time armed persons attacked the Raj Bhavan.

In 1999, unidentified persons hurled a bomb at the Governor's official complex from the side of Governor's Road.

Police officials take stock of the situation after the bomb attack at the Raj Bhavan complex

As there was heavy traffic along the road in front of the Raj Bhavan, most of the people, police deployed around the area and those manning the Raj Bhavan's main gate thought that it was bursting of tyre.

One police personnel who along with some other colleagues were on duty at the Raj Bhavan's main gate said that they were on duty as usual when he heard a loud sound in the direction of Keishampat.

At the moment, one police Gypsy was also parked just beyond the main gate.

But on checking a few minutes later, it was found that the sound was of a bomb explosion inside the Raj Bhavan complex.

While one bomb exploded near a pond, just about 25 feet away from the sentry post manned by CRPF personnel inside the Raj Bhavan complex and opposite to office of the Higher Education Department at Nityapat Chuthek, another unexploded bomb was found at a nearby spot, informed explosive experts of Manipur Police.

The spot where the bomb exploded is about 50 metres away from Raj Bhavan main gate and 250 metres away from the Governor's residence.

Even as there was no casualty in the explosion, police personnel including top ranking officials conducted an intensive search in and around the Raj Bhavan complex for any unexploded bomb.

Governor Gurbachan Jagat was not at the Raj Bhavan when the bomb exploded.

He left for New Delhi this morning to attend a meeting of the Committee of Governors scheduled for tomorrow.

Both Chief Secretary Rakesh and DGP Y Joykumar are also not in the State Capital presently.

While the Chief Secretary is currently at New Delhi, the DGP is away at Jiribam.

After the daring bomb attack at the high security zone, Additional DGP (Intelligence) A Romenkumar, IG (L/O-I) M Karnajit, SP Imphal West L Kailun, SP CID (SB) Achin Haokip rushed to Raj Bhavan and inspected the spot.

In subsequent search of the area, two levers of hand grenades were recovered from the road located to the front where the CRPF sentry post exists.

In the aftermath of the explosion, police conducted frisking and checking of vehicles along the road in front of the Raj Bhavan.

Later traffic along the road was diverted to other roads.

According to police sources, no CCTV is installed around the Raj Bhavan complex although CCTVs have been installed near the Governor's office.

Security arrangement of Raj Bhavan is done by 109 Bn CRPF.

The security arrangement of the Raj Bhavan was also enhanced after the bomb attack at Chief Minister's official complex sometime back.

The State Government has intimated the Home Ministry about today's bomb attack at Raj Bhavan, added the source.