IMPHAL, October 29: Atleast five persons including two students were injured when a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded at Dharamsala near Bhairodan Maxwell Hindi High School early around 5:58 am today.
This is the third bomb explosion triggered within high security Imphal areas in less than two weeks-time.
The explosion took place at a parking lot of ‘thellas’ about 80 metres south west from the city police station.
Even though splinters were not found, the intensity of the blast was so powerful that the wreckages were thrown several feet away from the blast site. Moreover, the impact of the blast also damaged a class room of the Bhairodan school and a Tata Magic bearing MNO6L-5818.
The blast also created a crater of two and half feet wide in radius and one and half feet deep.
Police sources confirmed that the IED was detonated using a Remote control device and planted under one of the ‘thellas’ parked at the area.
The same sources speculated that the non-local migrant labourers could have been the target.
Of the total injured two were said to be non-local labourers identified as one Raghunath Manto, 28, son of Rupalal Manto of Sitabari Bihar currently staying at Nagamapal and Sambhu Shah, 34, son of Sarju Shah of Keshampura village, Bihar currently staying at Nagamapal. Two were reportedly students, who were out for coaching and a driver of the damaged Tata Magic.
They have been identified as Kishan Chakerbati, 17, son of Gorpat Chakarbati of Serou Part 3 at present staying at Paona bazaar, Pradeep Sharma, 17, son of Nirmal Sharma of Serou presently staying at Paona Bazaar and Ahbujam Arun, 21, son of A Achou of Heirok part 3 at present staying at Kabo Leikai.
The condition of one of the victim Kisan is said to be critical.
The explosion damaged his left ear drum.
Soon after the blast, security forces including bomb experts and CRPF rushed at the blast site and conducted a thorough search in and around the area.
Meanwhile, a teacher of the Bhairondan, strongly condemned the blast which occurred near educational institute and appealed not to carry out such incidents in the future.
No organisation has claim responsibility for the blast till the filing of this report.