Blast kills one, many hurt in clash
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 22, 2012: Even as attacks against candidates and political workers continued in the run-up to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly, a powerful blast near the private residence of Speaker Irengbam Hemochandra this evening has claimed the live of one and left atleast two injured.

CorCom, a conglomerate of seven armed groups, has claimed responsibility for the bomb attack at near the residence of I Hemochandra.

It also claimed attacks at the residences of former ZP member H Tombi Singh (Salam Maning Leikai) on January 20, Panchayat member Thokchom Nilkamal (Lamshang Awang Khunou) on January 20, Maibam Kesho of Khundrakpam Awang Leikai (Lathode bomb) on Jan 21, Ningombam Gojen of Thoubal Ningombam on the intervening night of January 21-22 and Ningombam Rajen of Thoubal Ningombam (Jan 21-22 night).

All those who carried out the attacks returned to their respective base camps, unhurt, claimed CorCom.

Regretting casualties inflicted by the blast, a CorCom statement contended that the attack was carried out due to defiance despite repeated warnings.

More attacks could not be ruled out, it cautioned.

On the otherhand, a Congress party worker has been thrashed and abandoned by unknown persons while atleast seven political workers suffered injuries in a clash between rival workers at a Thoubal district assembly constituency.

According to police report, a powerful bomb exploded close to the Chingamakha residential gate of Speaker I hemochandra at around 6.20 pm today.

Speaker I Hemochandra and police officials taking stock of the situation after the explosion near the Speaker's residence

One person, said to be supporter of the Indian National Congress nominee in Singjamei AC and identified as Meisnam Ratan (45) of Singjamei Phuramakhong was killed on the spot while two others identified as Sunil of Naorem Leikai and John of Brahmapur Leikai suffered bomb splinter wounds.

A third person lost consciousness from the impact of the blast.

Police recovered a Honda Activa scooter (MN01/Q4040) from the site of the blast.

In unrelated incident, a worker DD Thaisii, an INC candidate in Karong AC, was reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen from Senapati Bazar area at around 8.20 pm yesterday.

Police source identified the abducted person Congress worker Anthony Poshiba from Senapati Town even as press source conveyed that the abducted person has been released today, after thrashing.

It may be mentioned that two other workers of the Congress candidate were abducted by unknown gunmen on January 16 night from a place in between Senapati Town and Karong, along the National highway 39. Both were subsequently set free on January 20. Meanwhile, bomb attacks have been reported at Ningombam area under Thoubal AC in the wee hours today.

Police source informed that the bomb attacks were targeted at the residence of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh's workers namely Ningombam Rajen (50) of Thoubal Ningombam near Mini Stadium and Ningombam Gojendro of Thoubal Ningombam Mayai Leikai.

The bombs went off simultaneously close to the said houses.

Seven hurt in clash: Amid contradictory claims political workers of the Manipur People's Party and Indian National Congress have been injured in a clash at a Thoubal district assembly constituency this afternoon.

At least four political workers of MPP suffered injuries in an alleged attack by supporters of Congress candidate at an election meeting venue of the former political organisation in a Thoubal district area today.

According to MPP Wangkhem Youth Front member Yumnam Ranbir, with due permission of the district authority (DC) a public meeting was organised this afternoon at Charangpat Maning Leikai Satjal Lampak (ground), for MPP nominee in Wangkhem assembly constituency Dr Nimaichand Luwang, who is also the MPP president.

At around 2.30 pm, when Dr Nimaichand was about to address the gathering, a large number of Congress workers led by local MLA K Meghachandra (INC) and his security escort personnel, arrived near the meeting venue in some vehicles and started to rain stones, Ranbir claimed.

He further contended that when some section of the public assembled at the meeting venue tried to retaliate MLA Meghachandra and his escort party attacked MPP workers who were arriving for the meeting resulting in injury suffered by four MPP workers.

Ranbir named the injured persons as Yambem Uttam (23), Yambem Inao (28), Laishram Ingocha and Laikhuram Anand.

Inspite of the incident, the meeting proceeded as additional security personnel arrived after a while, he added.

Strongly condemning the alleged attack, Dr Nimaichand Luwang described the incident as provocative and anti-social act.

Suggesting that election should be contested in a democratic manner to enable the electors chose their representative in a free and fair manner, the MPP chief also described the attack as act of cowardice.

Contrary to the MPP contention, three persons, said to be Congress workers, have been hospitalised at Shija Hospitals in Langol.

The three namely Kharibam Jiten (40) s/o Bolai, Thongam Bhogen (36) s/o Meinya and his younger brother Th Inao (32), all from Charangpat Maning Leikai, reportedly suffered wounds in various body parts during clash with MPP workers.