Bomb attack leaves AR man injured
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 15 2012: Amidst the general strike called by the CorCom, a united front of the seven banned militant outfits, a bomb explosion near Khordak bridge left a Naib Subedar of Assam Rifles injured.

Meanwhile, the proscribed RPF/PLA has claimed responsibility for the bomb attack.

A police source informed that the bomb explosion took place near Khordak bridge under Mayang Imphal police station in Imphal West district at about 12.30 pm.

The bomb was targeting a foot patrolling team of 33rd Assam Rifles based at Ithai Barrage.

It left Naib Subedar PH Vohra from Almora district of Uttarakhand injured.

He was hit shrapnels on the foot and back.

After he was brought to Ithai AR post, the injured personnel was airlifted by a helicopter to the Leimakhong military hospital of 57th Mountain Division.

The blast site was at the tri-junction of Imphal West, Bishnupur and Thoubal districts.

It was also the confluence area of Imphal river and Khordak river near Loktak lake.

One AR post is also located at nearby Komlakhong Chingthi.

A view of Paona Bazar during general strike called by CorCom

A press release issued by RPF publicity secretary T Leishemba claimed that the bomb attack was a continuation of its similar offensive against the Indian military.

It further claimed that one JCO of 33rd Assam Rifles was seriously wounded in the bomb attack.

Significantly, CorCom the joint front of RPF, UNLF, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), UPPK and KCP called a State-wide general strike from last midnight till 6 pm today in protest against the alleged annexation of Manipur into the Indian Union on October 15, 1949 which they observed as "National Black Day" .

After the departure of British colonial rulers, Manipur was once again independent and it became a sovereign country with an elected Government.

But the king of Manipur who was then devoid of any political power was called at Shillong and put under house arrest and was ultimately forced to signed the Merger Agreement under duress on October 15, 1949 .

On account of the general strike, Khwairamband market and all commercial centres in Manipur valley remained shut.

All the markets of Bishnupur and Thoubal districts bore deserted looks.

There was no inter-State or inter-district bus nor was there any taxi service.

Except for some private vehicles and vehicles of security forces, all the roads were mostly empty.

Attendance in Government offices was severely reduced whereas all educational institutions remained shut.

However, flight service was not affected.