IMPHAL, December 14: At least three employees of the Public Works Department (PWD) were injured when a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED), ripped through the building of the PWD located at Khuyathong this afternoon during working hour.
The IED exploded this afternoon at 1:30 pm at the corridor of the Highway south block of the department located at the second floor of the office building.
According to sources, prior to the blast, the Police had already received a report about the bomb being planted inside the office.
The police conducted a massive search of the premises since 1pm and shut down all exits and entry. The bomb however went off during the search process.
V. Zathang, ADGP- while talking to media persons outside the campus of the department, speculated that the bomb could have been planted last night or early morning today.
Sources said that besides inflicting human casualties the blast also severely damaged three offices within the block, ripped open the tin roof of the building besides shattering the entire window panes of the block.
The injured victims have been identified as one Hourungbam Nirmala, 24 d/o Ibomcha of Sagolband Sayang Leirak-a section officer of PWD, M. Yaima Singh of Kongba and Mayanglambam Bimolchand, 28, s/o Kanvesh of Singjamei Chinga Makha.
Of the injured victims, Yaima’s condition is stated to be critical.
In the meantime time, shocked with the blast a woman employee identified as one Sapam Ashalata, 47, w/o Brojendro of Khurai also collapsed during the melee.
A massive verification was conducted of all the people present within the campus including the employees of the three departments including the PWD, PHED and IFCD which lasted till late in the evening.
The police also picked up a number of people from inside the campus for further verification however the exact number could not be acquired.
Meanwhile, media persons were left outside the complex as they were not permitted to enter by the security personnel stating that forensic examination of the blast site is being conducted.
Police however is clueless how the bomb managed to get inside the building.
The entire complex is mended by 8 home guards and a section of 69 CRPF battalion, Koirengei.
The only entrance to the complex (main gate) is mended by the CRPF personnel. Mobile phones are not allowed inside the complex.
Besides that all the visitors must show their identity cards and had to register themselves stating the purpose of their visit before entering the complex and no private vehicles are allowed to enter within the complex.
Meanwhile, V. Zathang, ADGP on being pointed towards the involvement of insiders involved in the blast as the blast had occurred at a such a high security area, answered back that it will be determine only after a thorough enquiry.
He further informed that the bomb was a time bomb.
The minister concerned, K Ranjit along with DPG Manipur also arrived at the complex however left the premises without giving any comment on the incident.
Other top security officials including DIG CRPF, Senior SP Imphal west and top officials of the department also came to the incident spot.
Normal traffic in Imphal was disrupted with the police as a part of their security procedure block the main highway from Khoyathang till the Majorkhul junction. The road block resulted in inflation of traffic congestion within Imphal for few hours.