KANGPOKPI, December 1: An Improvised Explosive Device found at the office complex of the Senapati deputy commissioner two days ago has been safely defused and detonated this afternoon around 1:30 near the 9 Manipur Rifles firing range at Taphou Kuki.
It is also learnt that the delay in defusing the bomb was because bomb experts in the State were already engaged with Prime Minister Narendra Modi`™s Sunday visit to the State capital.
The explosive weighing 1kg and 200g was found on Saturday after, the MNRF had claimed on Friday morning about placing the IED inside the toilet complex of the DC office.
It was finally defused by a bomb disposal squad from Imphal and a police team led by SDPO Pfokrehe and assisted by 35 AR.
Since Friday, a combined team of the Senapati Police and the 35 AR had cordoned off and guarding the office block, restricting entry of both the public and the office staff.
On their arrival at the spot from Imphal, the bomb experts were taken by surprise on finding such a huge amount of explosive which was remote controlled.
Meanwhile, several organisations have poured in their condemnation over such a violent threat at a public office with the Naga People`™s Organisation, NPO and the Senapati District Students`™ Association condemning the threat as an act of cowardice and anti-people.
The apex bodies in a joint statement vocally spelled out that, the people of the district will not tolerate such destructive role of any group attempting to disturb the serenity of the public and attempting to destroy the most important public office like DC office.
It also warned that, any anti-people activities like disturbing the festive peaceful environment or threatening public or offices is unacceptable from any group or person.
In the midst of tireless efforts of civil bodies to systemize the government offices to be regular and make them people friendly, the threat and attempt to cause harm is condemned by all, it said.
Any issue related to individual or group should have been sorted out with mutual negotiation and talks rather than targeting public office or general, it advised.
Meanwhile, the Tribe Hohos of NPO and local bodies including Senapati Disable People`™s Association, Manipur (SDPAM), Senapati Karong Area Women`™s Welfare Association (SKAWWA) and Karong Senapati Town Committee (KSTC) have also strongly condemned the act.
Targeting public offices and the people for vested individual interest is not our Naga culture and not acceptable to any society, the organisation echoed.
Meanwhile, after making the claim for the explosive, the MNRF had defended the act stating that, its monetary request was not met even after repeated information to the concerned person.
Soon after receiving the information, the 35 AR under 59th Mtn. Brigade had conducted sweeping of the main office with IED detector and sniffer dogs but could not found anything.
Later on Saturday afternoon, Senapati police found the bomb at a locked toilet.