Nine killed, 13 hurt in two bomb blasts
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 13 2013 : Nine people were killed and 13 others injured in two separate incidents of bomb blast which took place at different part of Imphal on Friday.

At least nine (9) non-local construction workers were killed and another 11 persons including a local man sustained injuries when a powerful bomb exploded at a make-shift shed constructed over Naga Nullah at Khuyathong area today.

The incident took place at around 7:30 pm.

Among the nine persons who lost their lives, eight of them died on their way to RIMS while another succumbed to his injuries shortly after he was given treatment at Shija Hospital, Langol. All the deceased nine non-local construction workers and 10 injured are said to be from Assam.

They arrived at Imphal just a week back as they have been engaged by Simplex Infrastructure which is taking up various construction works in Imphal.

The bomb reportedly blew up while the workers were talking and relaxing inside the make-shift shed after their day's work.

Nine killed, 13 hurt in two bomb blasts

The local man who sustained injuries in the blast has been identified as Nongmaithem Somendro (60) of Nagamapal Phougeisangbam Leikai.

He sustained splinter injuries on his chest and right hand and is presently undergoing treatment at RIMS.

Though the police said that the bomb could not be an IED but a hand grenade, no lever of any hand grenade has been recovered by the police so far.

The area has been cordoned off by the police for further investigation.

Soon after the news of the blast spread, the police personnel posted on duty nearby rushed in and immediately evacuated the injured to RIMS.

Top police officials of the State also arrived at the spot for inspection and to take stock of the situation.

No UG group has claimed responsibility for the bomb attack till late evening and so the reason behind the attack and how it was carried out still remains unknown.

With exception to the one who succumbed to his injuries at Shija Hospital, the identity of the other eight persons who lost their lives in the attack has not been able to establish.

Their bodies have been kept at the mortuary of RIMS Hospital for post-mortem and identification.

The non-Manipuri worker who died at Shija Hospital has been identified as Lalchand Ali (25) .

Among the injured non-local construction workers who are undergoing treatment, seven of them have been identified as Diler Ali (20), Md Muksudur Islam (21), Mujubur Ali (21), Muktur Hussain (21), Samsun Haque (20), Md Maharam Saidu Islam (21) and Babul Hussain (24) .

A team of Ministers and MLAs led by Chief Minister in-charge H Devendra visited RIMS to meet the injured victims.

The Chief Minister in-charge assured that all treatment charges would be borne by the State Government.

While talking to Hueiyen Lanpao over the phone, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who is presently at New Delhi, strongly condemned the bomb blast and termed it as a terrorist attack.

He also shared the grief and sorrow of the bereaved family members and the injured.

Gaikhangam assured that stern action would be taken up against the perpetrators of the crime.

Earlier in the morning, one personnel of 40 Assam Rifles and an autorickshaw driver were wounded when a powerful IED exploded along Ukhrul-Imphal road near Khurai Popular High School at Khurai Chairen Thongkhong under the Porompat Police Station of Imphal East district.

The explosion took place at around 10.30 am near a waiting shed.

The injured AR man has been identified as HM Gurung (35) of 40 Assam Rifles post at Chingaren.

He sustained injuries on his shoulder.

The auto-rickshaw driver who sustained injuries in the explosion has also been identified as Ningthoukhongjam Roben (30) s/o N Muhindro of Keibi Makha Leikai.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by Bangkim, Chief of Department of Publicity, RPF has claimed the bomb at Khurai was triggered by a special warfare group of PLA, the armed wing of the outfit.

Bangkim, however, expressed regret over the injuries caused to the autorickshaw driver.

The outfit has also claimed responsibility for the attack at the camp of an Indian Army near Aishi village in Chandel district in the afternoon of September 9 .