Household items damaged by a bomb in Manipur's Imphal East district

Amid the enhancement of security measures, a hand grenade lobbed by miscreants exploded inside a house in Imphal East district on January 19 as pre-poll violence continued in poll-bound Manipur.

Reports said that the hand grenade lobbed by the miscreants exploded in the bedroom of one Kaborakpam Loken Singh at Arapti under Irilbung police station of Imphal East early in the morning, around 2.30 am.

Loken Singh’s son Kanchan Singh (24) was in the bed. He miraculously escaped unhurt. However, household items in the room were damaged by the impact of the blast.

As told by Kanchan, he woke up when he heard the sound of something like stone falling in his room after hitting the wall.  He realised it was a hand grenade and upon noticing it, he covered himself with the blankets. The bomb went off instantly, Kanchan informed.

After the blast, Manipur director general of police (DGP), P Doungel went to the house and conducted a spot inquiry along with other top officials of the Police department.

Residents of Arapti in Imphal East, Manipur protesting against the blast
Residents of Arapti in Imphal East protesting against the blast

Meanwhile, denouncing the bomb attack at the house, locals of Arapti staged a sit-in-protest at the gate of the K Loken on January 19. They displayed various placards some of which read as “We denounce bomb explosion inside house”, “Stop gun culture,” “We want peace,” “Don’t terrorize innocent civilians,” etc.

Talking to reporters K Lata Devi, wife of Loken, said that they suspected the blast was related to the ensuing poll in Keirao assembly constituency. She said that her family was denied subsidized rice under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) after they refused to hoist a BJP flag in their house.

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Avatar photo
About TNM NewsDesk

-

The News Mill is a Guwahati-based digital media with focus on content from across Northeast India and beyond. We can be reached through [email protected]