IMPHAL, December 24: Amidst tight security in the city mainly in market areas, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by unidentified persons exploded at Majorkhul near MG Avenue on December 23 late night around 11. 30.
However, no one was injured in the blast which went off in an area just 100 meter away from City Police Station.
According to reports, the IED was planted under a car bearing registration no MN01/G-1550 parked in the area. Back parts of the car were greatly damaged in the explosion.
The car belongs to one Sikander Shah, 37 from Bihar but presently staying in a rented house at Majorkhul.
The reports said Sikander Shah run steel shops in different places including Imphal.
He was not present in his rented house when the blast took place. He had left the city few days back.
It is believed that the blast might have been carried out by an underground outfit in connection with a monetary demand served to Sikander Shah. Police and forensic experts arrived at the blast site this morning to take stock of the incident, added the reports.
Meanwhile, strongly condemning the blast, locals staged a sit-in-protest in front of Majorkhul gate. Members of Kabui Mothers’ Association (KAMA) were also present at the protest demonstration.
Mention may be made that casualties had been inflicted to many persons, including death of police personnel in IED explosions that took place in and around MG Avenue in the past one year.
Meanwhile, Kabui Mothers’ Association (KAMA) and Zeliangrong Union, Imphal Zone expressed strong condemnation on the explosion, creating fear psychosis in the minds of people.
Saying that similar incidents had taken place in the surrounding areas in the past, the organizations appealed to all he concerned organizations to not commit such act in crowded area in future.