IMPHAL, February 19: Unidentified persons lobbed a hand grenade at the Dewlahland residence of Ukhrul MLA Samuel Risom today around 6.45 pm, with a van driver receiving minor injuries from the resultant blast.
The driver`s van parked nearby was also partly damaged. The MLA`s residence is located at 3rd Avenue, Dewlahland. The injured has been admitted at the Dewlahland Christian Hospital.
According to locals, unidentified persons hurled the hand grenade which fell outside the walls of the residence.
During the blast, some window panes of the Berean Lodge located inside the compound of the MLA`s residence were broken.
The injured van driver was standing near the blast site with his van bearing registration number MN-01-S-0446 parked alongside.
He has been identified as Ram Kumar Rai, 38, son of Prem Kumar Rai of Kanglatongbi and at present staying at Dewlahland in a rented room. Ram Kumar Rai was given first aid at the hospital.
Soon after the blast, a large number of police personnel including DIG Law and order I, Clay Khongsai along with the other officials of the Imphal west district police rushed to the spot and inspected the blast site.
Ukhrul MLA Samuel Risom was not present at the time of the blast as he is presently staying at the Babupara MLA quarter.
Police have taken up a case regarding the incident.
Meanwhile, the Tangkhul Katamnao Long, Imphal, has over the phone, expressed condemnation of the blast and appealed to all concerned to clarify at the earliest.
Late Wednesday night, Popchan Shimray, president of the TKLI called the IFP over the phone expressing condemnation.
He further appealed to all concerned not to carry out such violent attacks at residential areas.