3 including 2 escort personnels injured in Mantrpukhri bomb blast

Security personnels investigate the damaged car in the blast.

IMPHAL, June 3: Two MR personnel and a civilian driver were left injured in a grenade explosion this evening around 6:30pm at the residence of the Manipur Development Society Director Yambem Ningthem under Heingang PS.

All the injured have been shifted to the RIMS, while one has been referred to the Shija Hospital after his condition deteriorated.

The three injured have been identified as Waikhom Dhanchandra, 43 son of Shamuyaima of Khongnang Pheidekpi, SK Rocky Lamkang, 34 son of Angchung Lamkang of Purum Pantha, Chandel both rifleman at the 8th Manipur Rifles and Thongam Dinesh, 45 of Khongman, Devala’s driver.

The two injured riflemen had been provided along with six others as escort for the Director.
Both rifleman Rocky and driver Dinesh received severe splinter injuries on their bodies while Dhanchandra escaped with only one splinter hit on his chest. Dinesh has been shifted to Shija Hospital due to his severe condition.

According to injured rifleman Dhanchandra, he along with seven other personnel was posted as an escort team for the Director.

During the incident, while Dhanchadra and Rocky stayed at Ningthem’s residence, the six other personnel had left along with the Director to inspect the last minute preparation concerning the inaugural of a library built in the name of his dead son inside the DM College campus.

The grenade exploded when the trio was standing near the BMW car bearing registration no ML 04A-9091 which was stationed near the house, he said.

He further said he saw two unidentified youths who could have lobbed the grenade running away after the explosion.

The windshield of the BMW car was broken and the two left tyres burst during the explosion.
On receiving news of the blast, a strong state police team including Imphal East district, Porompat SDPO, P Manjit, DSP RK Khomdon, OC Heingang and Imphal East Commando OC rushed to the spot to take stock of the incident.

Director Y Ningthem who is originally from Uripok Yambem Leikai had shifted to Mantripukhri since some years back. The Director’s wife Devala is the SCERT Director.

Meanwhile in an unrelated incident, police today fired tear gas shells in order to dispers local vendors at Kakwa Bazar.

According to a source, the incident happened this evening around 5:45pm when a team of police commandos tried to picked up a former PLA cadre out on bail from the bazar area.

The man identified as one Laiphrakpam Sanjit alias Laba, 38 son of (L) Achoubi of Kakwa Laiphrakpam Leikai is said to be a PLA bail-out.

Sources informed that Sanjit is now supplying lights to the market vendors of Kakwa Bazar.
This evening around 5:45pm Sanjit was accosted by two individuals riding a two-wheeler in the bazar area.
Even as he was talking to the two a team of cdos arrived and tried to take him along with them.
The vendors seeing the commotion intervened and tried to shield Sanjit from the cdos.

The cdos in an attempt to disperse the crowd fired some tear gas shells and managed to take Sanjit.
However, Sanjit’s wife Purnima and their three children came out and accosted the cdos saying that they should take them along if they have to take Sanjit.