THOUBAL, May 5: Three labours were injured, one of them critically, when a grenade exploded at a stone quarry at Thoubal Kiyam Siphai Khundongbam Leikai, this early morning.
The owner of the stone quarry is identified as Oinam Hamlet, 50, son of (L) Krishnamohon from the same locality.
Sources, said the grenade exploded around 4.45am near the stone crusher machine.
The three injured have been identified as Wahengbam (o) Sana Devi, 47, wife of (L) Inaobi of Thoubal Sabal Tongba; Ningthem (o) Kamala Devi, 45, wife of Ingocha of Tangjeng Kiyam Siphai and Laishram (o) Pakpi Devi, 45, wife of (L) Chourajit of Kiyam Siphai Kundokpham Leikai.
Meanwhile, womenfolk of the surrounding areas staged a sit in protest decrying the violence this afternoon at the gate of the quarry.
Sana, whose condition is stated to be serious was hit by splinters on her legs, right side ear, thighs and shoulder; Kamala suffered splinter injuries on her right-side shoulder and thigh while Pakpi was hit by splinters her right side forearm and waist.
Pakpi was discharged after treatment from the hospital as she had received only minor injuries.
Sources said the bomb exploded near the steering of the stone crushing machine, while six women workers were near the steering wheel, and nine others were working near the output mouth of the machine.
The machine was also slightly damaged in the explosion.
The normal working hour of the stone quarry is from 4.30am to 9.30am in the morning and from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Altogether 22 women work at the stone quarry.
Strongly decrying the incident, local womenfolk staged a sit in protest.
Condemning the explosion, a protestor said that such violence aimed towards the workers is not only unfortunate but also disgusting at the same time.
Even if there is any dispute, please do not let the workers suffer, the protestor appealed.
Meanwhile, SP Thoubal Radheshyam came and inspected the site. Thoubal police have registered a case in this regard