The incident took place at Sangakpham bazaar near the ADC guest house which is located along NH 39 today at about 1.45 pm under the Heingang police station.
According to police sleuths, the IED was planted inside a NV scooter and was parked in front of a barber shop run by a non local. The blast ripped apart the premises of the nearby areas including a grocery shop and a CD library. Splinters caused damage to the nearby residential buildings and hurt pedestrians who were passing along the route.
The metal pieces of the scooter also acted as projectiles with parts of the scooter laying scattered as far as 100 feet from the exact spot. The area was strewn with shattered glass and human flesh.
The blast instantly killed 3 persons inside the barber shop including a school girl. The deceased are identified as Jawahir Thakur, 45, a resident of Bihar and his son Munna Thakur, 20.The schoolgirl who was believed to be inside the barber shop is identified as Thokchom Apik alias Neha, 10, d/o Basant of Sangakpham Awang Leikai.
The other schoolgirl who was at the grocery shop is identified as Philasho Tangkhul, 10, d/o Kachipkhui Tangkhul of Marou of Phungyar sub division, Ukhrul at present residing at Paomai colony.
Both girls are class III students of Chingmeirong Primary School and are friends. They were returning from school when the blast occurred.
Another decapitated body of a man was also lying in front of the grocery shop; his identity is yet to be established.
The injured individuals are identified as S Ibomcha Singh, 57, s/o Khomdonbi of Heingang Makha Leikai, Chongtham Akasini Devi, w/o Inaocha of Nagamapal Singjubung Leirak, Shanti Devi,30, w/o Joykumar of Lei Inkhol, Thokchom Cleopatra, 32, w/o Dinesh of Acanbegei, Rebica Tangkhul, 50, w/o Somueal Tangkhul of Chingmeirong, M German, 25,s/o Binoy of Sangakpham Bazar and T Keinahanbi, w/o Milankumar of Sangakpam Laifam Khunou.
Keinahanbi and German sustained serious splinter injuries and are presently being treated at Shija Hospital and RIMS respectively.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi personally came to the spot to take stock of the situation, minister N Biren, Y Irabot and MLA Bijoy Koijam, top brass of the police and para military forces including the DGP, DIG, SPs also rushed in to the spot to access the situation.
DGP Y Joykumar told media persons that it would be premature to identify which insurgent group is behind the attack. He maintained that the police will carry out a full investigation to arrest the perpetrators of the crime as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the blast has been condemned from several quarters, the Chief Minister in a statement mention that the act is a dastardly and cowardly act and all efforts will be made to nab the culprits. Ibobi announced an ex gratia of Rs 1 lac to the next of kin of the deceased persons and Rs 75,000 to persons with permanent disability. Rs 50,000 to seriously injured persons and Rs 10,000 to persons with minor injuries. All Manipur United Clubs’ Organization (AMUCO), Poumai Colony Youth Club and Paomai Colony Development Board have severely condemned the incident.
It may be mentioned that a similar blast took place near the ADC office located at Khuman Lampak on May 28 last. A mother and her two daughters were also injured in the blast.
Meanwhile, following the blast, the police has notified to the public that as part of preventive measures and to prevent any more untoward incidents like bomb/IED blasts in the run up to the celebration of Martys Day on August 13 and Independence Day on August 15, the police has sought cooperation from the public and has released a set of instructions to help in preventing such incidents.
The public are appealed to avoid unnecessary crowding, not to allow unattended vehicles to be parked in front of residences, shops and to alert the police if vehicles have been abandoned so. It further states that the public should not touch any suspiciously left objects, not to accept gifts/packages from unknown persons, check the surrounding for any unusual changes and to check for suspicious behavior of strangers.
Governor’s message
The Governor of Manipur is deeply pained at the cowardly act of planting and blasting an IED today afternoon at Sangakpham Bazar leading to the death of five and injury to another five.
Such senseless targeting of innocent citizens is a sheer act of barbarism and must be strongly condemned by all, as such incidents have no place in the modern civilized world.
It is important that the State Government takes effective action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime, so that the rule of law and respect for authority is ensured.
Chief Minister’s message
Government of Manipur strongly condemns the Bomb Attack in the Sangapham Market near ADC Guest House in Imphal on 01st August 2011. It is a dastardly and coward act and all efforts will be made to nab the culprits. I am pained to note that the unfortunate incident has left 5 persons dead and 3 seriously injured.
I, personally visited the spot to take the stock of situation immediately after the incident. The State Government announces an Ex- Gratia of Rs 100000 to the next of Kin of deceased persons and Rs 75000 to the persons with permanent disability, Rs 50000 to seriously injured persons and Rs 10000 to persons with minor injuries, in addition to free treatment to all injured persons.
Director General of Police, Manipur has been directed to launch an intense search to nab the culprits. Enquiry has already begun. I assure that culprits would be booked and tried under law.