Four blasts rock Imphal on R-Day eve, none hurt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 25 2013: Making a mockery of all the stepped-up security measures taken up ahead of Republic Day, three bombs exploded in succession this morning at Imphal, followed by another later in the evening near the Oak Tasar Farm opposite to the New Secretariat complex along NH-2 under Heingang police station.

Notably the four blasts did not hurt or injure anyone.

Significantly a large number of underground outfits had called for a boycott of the Republic Day celebration and imposed a general strike from midnight of January 25 to 6 pm of January 6 .

A powerful bomb exploded near the parade ground of 1st Bn Manipur Rifles at about 7.30 am today, right in the heart of the Government's own security establishment.

According to information culled from the spot, the bomb exploded on the bank of a small pond between 1st MR unit canteen and the office of quarter master.

The spot where the bomb exploded was not far from the parade ground.

Though there was no human casualty, a brick wall located nearby collapsed at the impact of the blast.

Following the blast, all visitors and those residing in the family, and even reporters were denied entry into the 1st MR complex.

The scene at 1st MR Gate after the blast and cops inspecting a blast site

After inspecting the blast site, DIG Range-I Clay Khongsai ordered a search operation inside the complex.

Moreover, no vehicles were allowed to park alongside the jail road which also leads to the second entrance of the MR complex.

Notably, police have been conducting search operations in different places of Imphal valley since the past week so as to foil any subversive activities in the run up to the Republic Day.

As for the MR complex where the bomb exploded today, it is guarded round the clock by its own personnel.

At the time of the explosion, some people were preparing tableaus for the Republic Day parade.

In the midst of all the din caused by the blast, another bomb exploded near Kei-shamthong at about 10.15 am.

The bomb exploded at a garbage pit on the western bank of Nambul river opposite to Keishamthong Longjam Leirak.

Even though the blast site was usually used as parking lot for auto-rickshaws besides being a site for vegetable vendors, no one was hurt in the explosion.

A police team led by Imphal West SDPO N Modhunimai later came to the spot and made a field inspection.

It is suspected that the bomb was an IED of mild intensity which did not have splinters.

About half an hour later, another bomb exploded at another garbage alongside a road near RDS High School, Purana Rajbari in Imphal East district at about 10.45 am.

This time too, there was no casualty.

It was suspected that the third bomb was similar to the second one.

Imphal East SP Kamei Angam Romanus inspected the blast site.

Following the serial blasts, no vehicles were allowed to park on vehicles were allowed to park on the either side of the road between Moirangkhom and Khoyathong.

Subsequent upon the triple blasts, security measures have been tightened all the more apart from deployment of CRPF personnel including women, said a senior police officer.

Moreover, medians of all the important roads of Imphal city where the Republic Day parade would pass by have been scanned using sniffer dogs.