IED explosion at PWD under probe : CM
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 15 2011:
A day after an improvised explosive device ravaged a top-floor block of the PWD office complex, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today asserted that investigation has begun to ascertain all relevant facts on the blast.
Replying to a query by newspersons on the sideline of a surrender ceremony at the Mantripukhri base of IGAR (S) today, the Chief Minister, who also holds the home portfolio, maintained that the investigation will look into every aspects, including whether there is internal involvement.
Not ruling out possibility of involvement of employees of the three engineering departments whose offices are located inside the high security zone, he further informed that all the employees including female staffers will be frisked by security personnel.
Similar security apparatus would be applied in all the other departments, affirmed the CM while adding that the Government considers the blast as a serious case.
In the aftermath of the blast, personnel of CRPF and CID prohibited entry of outsiders while the employees underwent multiple-layer of security checking till late afternoon.
As a consequence of checking, including body search, of the employees and their four-wheelers consuming several hours normal chores at the three engineering departments was severely crippled.
While employees of Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Public Health Engineering Department and Public Works Department were made to display their respective identity cards besides bodily searched by the security personnel at the only entrance gate, those who came in four-wheelers were examined more vigorously before gaining entry.
Contractors, in the meanwhile remained outside the office campus for the entire day as manual frisking of the employees went on for hours.
Even as the employees stood in queue before undergoing multiple layer of checking, State police personnel searched the premises as well as inside the office rooms.
The IED blast that rocked the office at around 1.30 pm yesterday had left three employees injured and caused substantial damages to office blocks located on the top tier of the three-storey building.
In connection with the blast, the State Cabinet held a meeting at late evening yesterday wherein it was decided that only vehicles possessing permit/pass issued by the Government would be allowed to enter the PWD campus.
The said rule would be applicable to all the officials of the three engineering departments, decided the Cabinet.