Imphal, Apr 24 : A bomb went off in a VIP area, barely 100 metres from the Manipur chief minister’s residence and the police headquarters here today, injuring three persons, while another planted near the venue of a function to be attended by the Governor failed to explode. Official sources said a bomb rigged to a two wheeler exploded at around 10.15 a m in the VIP area, when a number of people were present there to meet ministers and MLAs.
Two vehicles were damaged by the blast, which also destroyed a portion of the fencing of the residence of Congress chief whip T Mangib Abu, who had left for Delhi earlier in the day. Manipur Tourism Minister T N Haokip’s house, barely 50 feet away from the spot where the blast occured, was unharmed.
Minutes after the blast, Imphal police closed all exit points in the area. The injured, who suffered splinter wounds, were rushed to the district hospital where they were stated to be out of danger. The unexploded bomb rigged to a cycle rickshaw was found at the southern gate of Imphal pologround, 50 metres from the seat of Governor S S Sidhu, about half an hour before he reached the venue.
The governor was scheduled to be present at the concluding function of Governor’s Cup Open Invitational Polo Tournament at 3 pm. Superintendent of Police, Imphal West district, Kailun said the powerful bomb had 17 gelatine sticks and could be exploded by using remote control. Experts defused the bomb and security measures were tightened at Imphal pologround area.
PTI
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