Bomb explosion in Manipur capital complex, 3 injured

Imphal: A powerful bomb, allegedly planted by militants, exploded at Manipur capital complex here on Monday, injuring three persons including an Assam Rifles jawan.
The bomb went off at around 4.30 p.m. at Keisampat area here injuring the jawan and two civilians, sources said, adding that the explosion occured while people were going to watch the ‘Sangai Festival’ (Tourism festival) at nearby Hapta Kangjeibung.
There was heavy security deployment at different parts of the state capital complex because foreign delegates particularly from Myanmar, Thailand and reprsentatives of different NGOs from different parts of the country were taking part in the 10-day festival which began from November 21. While the injured Assam Rifles jawan was taken to Army Hospital at Leimakhong, about 25 km north of here, the two civilians were taken to Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital, sources said.
Various social organisations had earlier appealed to people particularly militant outfits not to explode bombs during the festival as it would show Manipur in poor light in the eyes of the outsiders. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam condemned the incident, saying that all out effort would be made to trace the perpetrators. No individual or group has claimed responsibility so far. (PTI)