2 killed, 4 injured in 'IED' blast
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 15 2014: At least two persons were killed while four others injured critically when a powerful bomb planted by unidentified miscreants exploded at a betel-leaf godown at Thangal Bazar MG Avenue just 200 meters away from City Police Station, Imphal West today around 11 am.

Notably, the blast happened in front of two CCTV cameras installed at roadside near the DTDC Courier service.

However, due to non-functioning of the cameras, no recording of the incident was done.

If the CCTV cameras were functioning, the culprits behind the deadly blast could have been known easily.

Meanwhile, the deceased have been identified as Naresh Sahani (30) s/o Rajipar Sahani from Sitambara village, Bihar and Joylal Sahani (40) s/o Sricharan Sahani from Bihar.

Both of them were staying at Thangal Bazar.

2 killed, 4 injured in 'IED' blast

They were rushed to RIMS Hospital for treatment.

Naresh died on its way while Joylal whose lower parts of both knees were cut off succumbed to the injuries while giving treatment at around 4.30 pm of the day.

The four injured have been identified as Bikash Sahani (15) s/o Rajinder Sahani from Bihar; Surender Sahani (48) s/o Ramdarish Sahani from Bihar; Sanjoy Sahani (16) s/o Radul Sahani from Bihar and Leisangthem Jila (48) s/o (L) L Gouradhon of Thoubal Leisangthem.

Amongst them, Bikash; Surender and Sanjoy are betel leaf sellers.

L Jila was coming in the area to buy betel leaf when a powerful bomb went off suddenly.

Four of them suffered injuries on different parts of their bodies after hit by splinters of the bomb and are undergoing treatment at RIMS Hospital.

Police sources informed this daily that the bomb was not an ordinary hand grenade hurled by unidentified persons at the betel leaf godown instead it may have planted by the unidentified persons masquerading themselves as betel leaf buyers.

The bomb believed to be an IED was planted on the northern side of the godown and was placed inside a basket filled with betel leaf.

The impact of the bomb was so powerful that the ground floor of the godown was shattered.

CI sheets covering roof of the godown were also damaged in the blast.

Shortly after the blast, top officials of police arrived to take stock of the incident.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister O Ibobi and Deputy CM Gaikhangam inspected conditions of the four injured persons at RIMS Hospital.

Speaking to newspersons, CM Ibobi while strongly condemning the blast triggered by unidentified persons in the crowded place, pledged that the government would extend all possible help to families of the deceased and injured victims of the blast.

DY CM Gaikhangam who also holds the portfolio of Home said that there was no loophole on part of security measure in and around the blast site.

He suspected that the blast may have carried out in condemnation of degradation of CorCom and surrendered of some underground cadres including two leaders of PREPAK to the government today.