Imphal: Republic Day celebrations in Manipur were marred by four powerful bomb blasts amidst high security measures after six militant outfits called for a boycott of the day, police said. However, no one was injured in the explosions.
“A powerful bomb exploded near the deputy commissioner’s office in the eastern part of Imphal at 8 a.m. There were three more subsequent explosions by noon in different parts of the city,” a police spokesperson said Sunday.
The area where the first bomb went off is close to the official residence of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh.
Police officials with additional reinforcement rushed to the spots and combing operations were on to nab the guerrillas behind the blasts.
“The bombs were planted in four places of the capital city by the outlawed outfits to kill people on Republic day,” police said.
The army Saturday recovered two explosive devices planted in separate places in Bishnupur district. Both were safely defused.
Security was further stepped up at strategic locations in Imphal, including the crowded commercial areas of Ima Market, Paona Bazaar, Thangal Bazaar and Governor Road and civil secretariat areas.
Police also enhanced frisking and patrolling in and around the city.
Six frontline separatist outfits based in Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura earlier gave a call to boycott the Republic Day celebrations and asked people to observe a general strike from 1 am to 5 pm.
Separatist groups have for years boycotted national events and staged violent attacks in the run-up to the celebrations to make their presence felt. (IANS)
Blast in Agartala, none hurt
Agartala: A crude bomb exploded on the outskirts of the state capital here on Sunday afternoon but no one was injured. Four other bombs were recovered in the area and defused. “When a man was setting fire to some garbage at Abhoynagar (on the city’s outskirts), a handmade bomb exploded. Police subsequently recovered four more crude bombs from the garbage and defused them at once,” police spokesman Bharat Debbarma said.
Senior police officials along with Tripura State Rifles troopers launched a manhunt to nab the culprits behind the occurrence.
Republic Day was celebrated on Sunday in Tripura peacefully across Tripura. The main function of the day was held at the Assam Rifles ground where Governor Devanand Konwar unfurled the tricolour and took the salute. (IANS)