IMPHAL, December 19: After a short lull, two powerful explosions suspected to be IED just 100 metres away from the Porompat Police Station rocked the state capital this morning around 10:15am injuring a passer-by, even as a grenade explosion killed a mason along the Singjamei Liwa road in the evening.
The two IED explosions earlier in the morning suspected to be aimed at security forces were triggered within the span of just a few seconds on either side of the Porompat DC road even as a CRPF water tanker and a bullet proof vehicle were driving by.
Police suspect the used of remote control to trigger the two IEDs.
The injured person identified as Md Seik Mahammad Mustab, 28 son of (L) Abdul Mallik of Hatta Makha Leikai is a driver of a water tanker for the Public Hospital, Hatta Golapati.
He has been admitted at the JNIMS and is said to be out of danger.
He was driving behind the CRPF team when the two IEDs exploded injuring him on his right leg and damaging a bullet proof vehicle of the 143 CRPF, Lamphel.
The CRPF water tanker escorted by a bullet proof vehicle was returning after filling water from the Porompat Water Supply.
The first blast which happened just behind the second vehicle of the CRPF (about 100 meters from the main gate of the Porompat PS) damaged the bullet proof vehicle.
The left side front tyre of the bullet proof vehicle was punctured while some holes were also found on the left side windshield and the body of the vehicle, though none of the personnel were injured.
Seik Mustab was injured by splinters from the second explosion on the other side of the road which occurred just a few seconds later after the first explosion.
His water tanker was also damaged by splinters from the explosion.
According to the injured person, the two CRPF vehicles had overtaken him.
He said he was thinking that it is not safe to drive alongside security personnel and was had just slowed down when the explosion happened.
The second IED was planted inside the earth which had been dug out for the construction of a canal along the roadside, sources informed.
Soon after receiving reports of the blast, Imphal East SP Kamei Angam Romanus led team rushed to the spot and conducted a search operation around the area by closing the road.
Meanwhile, a mason was killed while two others were injured when motorcycle borne suspected militants lobbed a hand grenade at the Oinam Leikai Liwa road residence of a contractor this evening around 5pm.
The house belonged to contractor Laishram Kheda, 56.
It is learnt that there was a wedding at Kheda’s elder brother’s house which is situated in front of his house.
Two motorcycle borne youths with their faces partially covered had come to the backside gate of Kheda’s residence, sources said.
While, the driver remain on his seat without turning off the motorcycle, the pillion rider came down and lobbed the grenade and then the two drove off, the source further said.
The grenade exploded in the backyard of Kheda’s house, killing a mason who was working at the moment on the spot and injuring two of his co-workers.
The mason has been identified as Maibam Bira, 53 of Kha Maibam Leikai. He was hit on his chest by bomb splinters, sources informed.
The two injured have been identified as Lourembam Manja, 37, son of Amuba of Kha Maibam Leikai and oinam Sanayaima, 46, son of (L) Apombi of Oinam Leikai.
Manja was hit by splinters on his left shoulder while Sana was hit on the left abdomen and leg.
Sana’s condition is said to be critical. Both injured have been admitted at the Raj Poly Clinic.
Meanwhile, on receiving reports about motorcycle borne youths lobbing a grenade at the residence of contractor Kheda, a team of commandos tried to track down the miscreants along the Heirangoithong Manipur University road.
Sources informed when the police cdos asked some vehicles to stop, the vehicles failed to stop at which the cdos fired upon them.
An Alto car was hit in the fire and an individual inside the car was also hit.
The injured has been identified as Thoudam Romen, 24 son of Bokuljao of Thongju Boroi makhong.
He was hit on his back and rushed to the RIMS.
He has been shifted to the Shija Hospital.
Singjamei Police have arrested some others travelling in the car, sources said.
