NEW DELHI , Nov 30 (ANI): Hours after a low intensity blasts rocked Imphal, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Wednesday said security forces and intelligence agencies have been asked to remain vigilant in order to foil such attempts
Talking to reporters after presenting the home ministry`s monthly report for November 2011, Chidambaram said: “Today, a low-intensity blast took place in Imphal in which three or four people were injured. I have been told that the IED was handed over to a person but before he could place it, the bomb went off.”
“However, in view of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh`s scheduled visit to the state, a high alert has been sounded in the entire state. We have asked the security forces and the intelligence agencies to remain vigilant in order to foil such attempts,” he added
A powerful bomb exploded outside the venue of an ongoing tourism festival in Imphal around 11 a.m. today, killing one and injuring several people.
The bomb went off outside the main gate of the Hapta Kangjeibung exhibition ground where the Sangai tourism festival was on. The fair, organised by the Manipur government, is heavily attended by citizens of Thailand , Malaysia and other southeast Asian countries.
Manmohan Singh is scheduled to visit Manipur on December 3 to inaugurate the new state Assembly and also the City Convention Centre, which is 50 metres from the ground where the bomb went off today.
Police personnel and dog squads were deployed at the blast site and were seen carrying victims.
According to local media reports, the bomb was fixed onto a rickshaw and the driver paid to carry the device.
The blast also comes a day after the end of the 120-day blockade in the state.
