1 killed, 5 hurt in Manipur bomb blast

Newmai News Network IMPHAL, December 15 [dropcap]O[/dropcap]ne person has died and five others have injured when suspected militants exploded a bomb inside a betel leaf godown at MG Avenue here Monday. Ramesh Shahni, 30, a labourer, died on the spot when the bomb went off around 11 am. The victim was stated to be a native of Bihar. The five injured persons were admitted to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here, police said. Among them, condition of two was stated to be critical. One local named Leishangthem Jila Singh, 48, resident of Thoubal Leishangthem Leikai was among the injured. The other four injured persons including two minors are all from Bihar, according to police. The betel leaf godwon where the blast occurred is owned by one H Rajeshwor from Imphal.Last October, miscreants triggered a powerful IED near a Durga Puja pandal close to Monday’s blast site. One policeman was killed and 18 others including non-Manipuri devotees and children were injured in the blast near the Durga Puja pandal. Monday’s blast took place about 3 km from 1st Manipur Rifles where Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh was welcoming as many as 56 militants of three outfits who were surrendering before him along with a huge cache of arms and ammunition. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister along with his deputy Gaikhangam accompanied by top police officials visited RIMS to see the blast victims. On the sidelines of the visit, Ibobi announced Rs 5 lakh for the deceased’s next of kin and also assured financial assistance for the injured victims. “Killing innocent civilians will not bring any solution,” Ibobi said. “It was a cowardly act.” Deputy Chief Minister, who is also the Home Minister, described Monday’s deadly blast as a shameless act and appealed to all attackers to immediately stop such acts.