IMPHAL, January 24: Atleast three IEDs exploded at three different places in Imphal today.
The first one exploded at around 7:30 in the morning at Sagolband Salam Leikai on the riverbank of Nambul River near Meino Bridge under Imphal PS in Imphal West.
The blast dug up a crater four feet wide and two feet deep.
Window panes of a passenger bus which was parked near the retaining wall of the river was shattered in the blast. However no one was hurt in the blast.
The bus bearing registration number MN-01-1893 belongs to Baby Mamta Express provides services on Imphal to Bishnupur services.
According to the bus driver and handyman, they came with passengers in the early morning. After dropping the passengers they were waiting there for the time to head towards the main parking.
When the blast occurred they were sleeping inside the bus.
They also said that right after the blast a person who seems to be mentally unsound was seen searching for food at the garbage dump which was quite near the blast site but he was not hurt at all in the blast.
High ranking official of the police along with the bomb experts came and inspected the blast site.
The second blast occurred at around 10 am at the riverbank of Imphal River near Yaiskul Athletic Club ground (on the northern side) and infront of the Sentry post of Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Ukhrul Dr Ng Raikhan`™s residence.
The blast site is about 50 metres away from the 1st Bn Manipur Rifles parade ground which is going to be the starting point of the contingents on the Republic Day celebration on January 26.
In this blast also no casualty was reported.
Two youths who were present during the time of the blast were questioned by commando personnel but the person/s involved in the planting of the bomb could not be traced.
The third blast occurred at around 8:30 pm at Mongsangei near CRPF group centre under Singjamei PS, Imphal West district.
This time also no casualty was reported.
It may be mentioned here that since January 20 till today there has been reports of IED blast in 10 places counting Moreh and Churachandpur.