IMPHAL, November 29: A day ahead of the Prime Minister`™s high profile visit to the State capital, an 11-year-old lost his life in a suspected Improvised Explosive Device explosion. The exact spot of the explosion is a paddy field at Lilong Turel Ahanbi Mathak leikai about 300 metres away from a 40 Assam Rifles Delta Company post.
Police sources claim the explosive could have been an IED, however it is not confirmed yet.
Around 9:35 am today, Makakmayum Wahazuddin alias Aboicha, son of M Hifazuddin of Lilong Turel Ahanbi Mathak Leikai was gathering hay at the paddy field with his mother, said a local.
However, needing a gunny bag to carry back the hay, the boy went to the nearby house of maternal grandparents near the Lilong Police, he said.
At his maternal grandparents`™ home, he was asked to stay for lunch but he refused stating that his mother was waiting for him at the paddy field and ran away carrying an empty cement bag for the hay, the local said.
However, the mother was already at home and waiting for her son there, the he further said adding that after some 25-30 minutes, they heard an explosion.
When the residents rushed to the spot they found the mutilated body of the young boy.
Meanwhile, soon after getting information of the explosion, a team of media persons also rushed to the spot and found the totally mutilated body of the boy lying near a haystack. Dismembered limbs of the boy were found scattered around a 40 metre radius.
A team of the State explosive and forensic experts were seen inspecting the site and collecting samples for further investigation.
Personnel of 40 AR (D Coy), SP Thoubal RK Radheshyam, addl SDPO Thoubal N Modhunimai, OC CDO Thoubal Anandkumar, OC Lilong PS RK Tejbir Singh and personnel of Lilong PS were also seen taking stock of the situation.
Police are however yet to confirm if the explosive was an IED or otherwise.
Meanwhile, soon after the incident, angered locals blocked the nearby road paralysing vehicular traffic for a few hours.
Lilong MLA Abdul Nasir also came and offered is condolence and a case has been registered with the Lilong Police.