IMPHAL December 16: A Chinese-made hand grenade was found near the residence of a betel leaf agent in Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai under Imphal Police Station at around 10 .30 am today. Later, the bomb was safely defused by a team of Imphal Police.
According to police sources, the bomb was discovered by the locals close to the boundary wall of the residence of Norendro alias Tomba, 47, son of late Ibomcha, and they informed the police about the bomb.
After receiving the information, a team of Imphal Police rushed to Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai and safely retrieved the bomb, police said.
It may be mentioned that around midnight of November 7 last, a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was set off at the veranda of a betel leaf godown at Thangmeiband Lourungpurel Leikai owned by Norendro. The blast shattered the window panes, tin roofs and entrance gate of buildings in the vicinity.
On the other hand, talking to IFP over the phone, Norendro said that information was provided to him by officials from the Border Security Force (BSF) post at Koirengei on his mobile phone that a militant group has planted a hand grenade somewhere near his residence. As he was at present staying at another house at Khoyathong, he passed the information to his sister Anandi asking her to confirm the situation. While looking out at the specified place, she found a suspicious object lying unattended near their residence and in front of an under construction shop, he stated.
When he reached his Thangmeiband residence personnel of Imphal police and BSF had already arrived there. He admitted receiving threats and monetary demands from various underground groups from the past many months and also clarified that he is no more related to the betel leaf business.