In what is said to be the first major offensive after the unification of at least seven separatist groups of Manipur, five people lost their lives and more than 20 were left injured when a powerful improvised explosive device rocked a crowded market place in downtown Imphal.
Manipur director general of the police, Mr J. Joykumar, who confirmed the death of at least four people, however, said that it would be too early to name the militant outfit involved in the blast. “We have already started investigation to ascertain the identity of the militant group involved in the attack,” he added.
The IED blast occurred at the Sangakham market near Don Bosco school. The place is said to have been overcrowded and has an Indian Oil depot in the vicinity.
Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who also holds the home portfolio, visited the spot and ordered an inquiry into the incident.
“Casualties may increase as some of the people are stated to be critical wounded,” the police official said, adding that blast victims have been shifted to the nearby hospital. Suspected militants had planted the bomb on a two-wheeler which went off at about 2 pm.
Security has been intensified in and around the capital city of Imphal as this was the second violent attack by a militant outfit within 24 hours.
Earlier, a powerful IED exploded at Chingamathak Manipur College Road near a post of Assam Rifles at around 11 pm on Sunday. However, there was no report of casualty in the blast.
Security sources said that the impact of the blast could be felt up to several meters. The explosion was so powerful that its impact smashed windowpanes of some nearby houses.
Security sources, indicating a pattern in recent offensives, said that suspected rebels also hurled grenades at some houses at Chingamathak Manipur College Road on Sunday.
However, grenades did not explode and no one was injured in the attack. All the four-targeted houses are located under the Imphal municipality area from where the government recently lifted the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. The security agencies have already alerted that separatist outfits might step up violence in volatile northeastern state in the run up to the Independence Day.