IED explosion rocks Imphal city, child hurt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 23 2020: Despite heavy security and preventive measures taken up by the State police ahead of the Republic Day celebration, a powerful IED exploded in-front of the row of garment shops located at RIMS road, opposite S3 Coaching Centre, at around 4.45 am today.

An object suspected to be the remote control device which set off the explosive was recovered from near Kasturi bridge later in the day, said sources.

A minor girl, identified as one Mardhya Wangkhem from Wangkhei, staying inside the said coaching centre, was struck on her forehead by some glass shards from a window pane which was shattered by the blast, resulting in some minor injuries.

IED explosion rocks Imphal city, child hurt

It may be noted that the blast occurred, just 3 hours before the full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day parade commenced under heavy security measures.

The authorities had even taken steps to divert all vehicles approaching toward the venue in preparation for a smooth rehearsal.

Soon after the explosion, a team of Imphal West district police, led by SP K Meghachandra, arrived at the site.

The area was cordoned off to check for the presence of any other explosive materials in and around the site.

The impact of the blast, which occurred near the culvert next to an iron pole, left a big hole in the area.

It also blew off the tin roofs of some 8 shops.

Splinters from the blast were also found in the iron shutters of the shops located opposite the blast site.

The blast also broke all the glass windows of the nearby shops and the coaching institute, scattering all the shards on the road.

A State bomb expert team also arrived at the spot and sanitised the area by using a metal detector.

They also searched for the presence of any other secondary explosives.

Clay Khongsai, IGP Zone 1, also arrived at the scene to take stock of the situation.

The blast site was searched/investigated by a team of State forensic expert and Imphal PS.

The forensic expert team further collected some residues of the explosive from the blast site and the surrounding area for further investigation.

After the completion of the investigation, normal traffic resumed along the busy RIMS road.

A case has been registered at Imphal PS.