Blast rocks State capital 5 cops, one civilian injured
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 05 2019: At least five Imphal West district police personnel, including Additional SP (Operations) and a civilian were injured in a powerful bomb blast which occurred at Thangal Bazaar today morning, some few meters away from Sani Mandir.

According to a source, the effect of the blast might have been much more disastrous had Imphal West district police personnel not taken up swift actions before the explosion.

The source said that earlier in the morning, people came across a suspicious object placed on the roadside next to the electric box near Nerolac Krishna Enterprises, which is located some 50 meters away from Shani Mandir.

Soon after receiving information about the suspicious object, a police team led by Additional SP (Operations) Imphal West and a commando team arrived at the spot and they started cordoning the area to prevent people from going near the object and informed the State bomb disposal squad.

Then at around 9.22 am, while the police were managing the area, a powerful blast occurred injuring five police personnel and a civilian.

The blast was so strong that it wrecked two vehicles ( two wheelers) which were parked near the area apart from shattering windows and glasses of the surrounding buildings and other nearby vehicles as well as destroying the shutter door of a nearby shop.

The injured personnel were immediately rushed to Raj Medicity for treatment, the source mentioned, identifying the injured police personnel as Additional SP (Operations) Imphal West Lamabam Amarjit of Langthabal Kunja , Sub Inspector of Commando Imphal West Bazaar Unit, Thongam Devan of Lalambung, ASI of City PS, Ningthoujam Ibotomba Singh of Thoubal Okram, ASI of Imphal West commando, Khuraijam Boney of Singjamei Chingamathak and Riflemen of 7th IRB attached with Commando IW Huirongbam Boboi of Thoubal Ningombam.

Ningthoujam Ibotomba is said to be in a serious condition and has been taken inside ICU.

On the other hand, the injured civilian has been identified as one Krishna Gurung of Pangei Nepali Basti and he was discharged after receiving treatment for his minor injuries.

The source continued that soon after the explosion, all the roads leading toward the blast site were closed by police.

Top ranking police officers also arrived and surveyed the blast site.

The area was further examined by a State forensic expert team and a bomb disposal squad.

They also searched for presence of any other secondary explosive materials in the area.

A regular case has been registered regarding the incident, the source added.

Later, Chief Minister N Biren Singh arrived at the blast site and took stock of the situation.

He further visited all the injured police personnel and the injured civilian who were admitted at Raj Medicity.

Speaking to media persons, the CM said that State Government takes the incident as a retaliation by unlawful organisations due to their state of depression and frustration caused by the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the State since the last two years.

He further said that it is indeed very fortunate that no major injuries and casualties were caused by the blast and added that the Government strongly condemns such barbaric violence in a crowded bazaar area.

He appealed to the people to bear with intensified frisking and checking of individuals to prevent such incidents in the future.

Mention may be made that today's blast occurred at a place which is located a few meters away from an area where a team of Imphal West district commando is deployed 24 hours a day.

Following the explosion, Imphal West district commando launched massive search operations in different parts of Imphal City including Khoyathong, Naga River stretch, Bora Galli and Major Khul area.

During the operation, 28 individuals who failed to produce proper identity proofs were detained and handed over to City PS for proper verification.

In the evening, Imphal East district police also carried out similar search operation at New Checkon Bazar area.

11 males were picked up and handed over to Porompat PS for proper verification.

On the other hand, the Manipur Police Department has announced a Rs 1 lakh cash reward for anyone who can provide information leading to the identification and arrest of the culprit (s) involved in today's blast and the blast which occurred at Telipati on November 2 at around 11.45 pm .

A notice issued by the PRO of Manipur Police Department mentioned that the identity of the informant will be kept secret and appealed the people to contact SP, Imphal East at 9862067893, SP Imphal West at 9612759705, OC Imphal East commando at 9612181845 and OC Imphal West commando at 9856136200 if they have any information.

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