Four civilian injured in blast

IMPHAL, October 26: Four civilians were injured in a grenade blast which occurred near JNIMS main gate crossing at around 5.08 pm today.

The grenade exploded inside an authorized Sample Collection Centre of Babina Diagnostic centre located on the western side of the Ayangpalli main road and is located a scant distance away from Porompat Police Station.

The injured included three staff members of the collection centre and a customer.

They are identified as Thokchom Joyshree,28, daughter of Th Kamini Singh of Khurai Thangjam Leikai; Sapam Dipu, 35, son of Madhusudan of Konjeng Hajari Leikai and Wahengbam Rameshwary alias Naocha, 25, daughter of Tiken of Wabagai Pole Star College at present Khurai Lai Awangba.

The customer of the centre who sustained injuries is identified as Salam Romio,31, son of S Ashokumar of Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai.

The injured persons were hurriedly admitted to JNIMS Emergency and Trauma Centre. Sapam Dipu was referred to Shija Hospital due to his serious injury.

Reports culled from the incident site mentions that two unidentified motorcycle borne hurled the grenade towards the shop.

The owner of the pharmacy next to the centre told IFP that a loud thud was heard and thought that someone had thrown a stone to the shop.

Afterwards, a loud explosion was heard and later the four persons were found injured by the shrapnel.

A small dugout was created by the bomb near the right wall of the centre. Imphal East SP came to the spot to take stock of the attack.

Residents of the area severely condemned the incident and it is yet not known who is behind the attack. Police suspects the attack may be due to a demand from an UG group.

In another separate incident, a bomb exploded at Uningkhong Thong located between Khongjom and Wangjing under Thoubal district at around 8.40 am today.

The attack was targeted at a convoy of the Assam Rifles and exploded when the last vehicle of the convoy crossed the spot.

The device is said to be triggered remotely. There were no injuries due to the blast.