IMPHAL, December 15: A powerful Improvised Explosive Device explosion near the City Police Station killed two persons and left four others injured one critically in the State capital this morning.
The explosion has been reported at 10:40 even as the Chief Minister and his deputy were welcoming altogether 57 cadres and leaders of three armed militant groups during a Home-coming ceremony at the Banquet hall of the 1st Manipur Rifles.
The IED exploded inside a shed where some non-locals were selling betel leaves opposite to Hotel Gallord at Mahatma Gandhi Avenue just about 80 metres on the western side of the City Police Station.
The two killed have been identified as Ramesh Sahani, 30 of Bihar who was hit by splinters all over his body and died on the spot, and Jailal Shah, 42, son of Thivaram of Bihar, who was hit on his right side of his stomach and lost both legs from the knees down, succumbing to his injuries at the RIMS around 4 pm.
While alive inside the Minor OT, RIMS, Jailal had talked to media persons providing his identity particulars.
The critically injured has been identified as Lishangthem Jilla alias Tomba Singh, 48 son of (L) L Govardhan Singh of Thoubal Leishangthem Awang Leikai. Jilla who vends milk in the area was standing nearby when the IED exploded and was hit by splinters in between his neck and chest. He is presently getting treatment at RIMS.
The other injured are identified as Vikash, 15, son of Rajender Sahani of Bihar at present staying at Thangal Bazar; Surender Sahani, 46, son of Ramdhari Sahani of Bihar; Sanjay, 17, son of Rudarchand of Bihar; and both presently staying at Paona bazaar.
The shed constructed between two buildings stands on the plot of Hanjabam Rajeshwor Sharma, 55, son of H Kunjakeshhwor Sharma of Brahmapur Thangapat Mapal.
It is learnt that the shed has been used since some time back by non-locals who are mainly from Bihar to sell betel leaves brought from outside the State.
Around 10 betel leaves sellers`™ kiosks stand face to face in two rows inside the shed selling the leaves.
One of the betel-leaves sellers who escaped unhurt said the explosive material could have been left inside a bag by the assailants who had come posing as customers inside the shed and later triggered it off using a remote controlled device.
Business was normal this morning as usual and there were several customers including women, he said.
He continued six individuals including some who were passing by were hit by splinters. Holes were also seen on the GI sheets covering the shed where splinters had hit and damaged, he said. CI sheets erected against the walls on the northern side of the shed were also blown up.
Meanwhile, soon after getting information about explosion, IG (L&O)-I Clay Khongsai, DIG Range-I IK Muivah, SP/IW Dr Ak Jhaljit Singh, additional SP/ IW (L&O) Dr S Ibomcha Singh led police teams arrived at the explosion site.