NIA handed Kwakta blast case; bunkers busted
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 24 2023:
Investigation into the car bomb blast in the middle of a bridge culvert near Kwakta village in Bish-nupur district along the Imphal-Tiddim road on June 21 evening has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) .
According to a statement of Manipur police control room, a bomb fitted inside a vehicle (Mahindra Bolero) by unknown miscreants explod ed at about 7.10pm on June 21 .
The blast not only badly damaged western portion of the bridge but also caused injuries to three minor boys.
Regarding the blast, Phougakchao Ikhai police station registered an FIR under Sec 5/3 of Explosive Substances Act & Sec 4 of PDPP Act 1984 and under section 400/121/120-B/243/326/504/506/307/427 of the IPC for further investigation.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle came from Chura-chandpur side.
As involvement of insurgents operating in the state and across the border in the case is highly suspected, the case has been transferred to NIA in the interest of national security, the statement added.
"It is a sensitive case given the involvement of insurgents operating in the state and across the border.
Hence, it has been transferred to the NIA," an official said.
Meanwhile, combined teams of state police and central forces continued to conduct search operations and destroyed several bunkers on Saturday.
As per a report, a team of 18 Assam Rifles and police conducted search operation at Sadang Hill Range in Kangpokpi district on Saturday and destroyed five bunkers set up by suspected Kuki militants while another team of Kangpokpi district police and central forces launched searches at four locations in Kangpokpi district on Friday and dismantled four bunkers with six others occupied by security forces.
A combined team of Imphal West district police and central forces accompa nied by executive magistrates also searched two locations in the district on Saturday.
According to a police statement, movement of essential items along NH-37 has been ensured with strict security measures.
It also informed that five arms were recovered from Imphal East district in the last 24 hours, adding that so far, total of 1100 arms, 13,702 ammunition and 250 explosives of different types have been recovered.
The Police Control Room appealed to the public to extend all possible help in bringing normalcy in the state, to clarify any rumour by dialling rumour free number - 9233522822 of Central Control Room and also to return and deposit arms, ammunition and explosives to the police or security forces immediately.