Five including two civilians hurt in grenade attack
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 19 2009: At least three Assam Rifles personnel and two civilians were injured when a hand-grenade hurled at a vehicle of AR by unknown persons exploded around 5.30 pm today at Singjamei market in Imphal West district.

The incident happened when troops of 34 AR were heading towards Thoubal from Imphal.

An unknown person hurled a hand-grenade at a Gypsy of the troops at Singjamei market.

In a few seconds after landing in the Gypsy, the grenade exploded.

The impact of the blast was pretty powerful and tore off the metal floor of the Gypsy.

Splinters of the grenade struck other parts of the body of the Gypsy.

The rear right tyre of the vehicle also got burst.

It is not known how many AR personnel were travelling in the Gypsy.

At least, three of the personnel were hurt in the blast.

One of them was taken to RIMS hospital and given first aid.

He has been identified as Hardan Sanwar (2) from Arunachal Pradesh.

A few grenade splinters hit his right sole causing injuries.

Two other personnel who reportedly sustained serious injuries were evacuated to Military Hospital at Leimakhong.

They have identified as rifleman Vinod Kumar and rifleman Hardeep Singh.

The two injured civilians are Oinam Bimola Devi (52), wife of O Bira of Singjamei Makha Oinam Thingel and Arambam Karan (28), son of A Nabadwip of Hojai Langdum, Assam, at present staying at Kakwa.

Yet another woman, who sells vegetables on the roadside, fainted after the incident.

She has been identified as Nepram Memmi (52), wife of N Babuni of Bashikhong Torban.

An IRB personnel carrying a woman who has fainted to a van; AR personnel inspecting a Gypsy at blast site

Oinam Bimola sustained injury on her right arm, while Arambam Karan was hit by splinters in his right arm and abdomen.

Both are being treated at RIMS hospital.

Immediately after the blast, all people who were at the market at that time ran helter-skelter to save their own lifes.

The unknown youth who lobbed the hand-grenade has also mixes with the running people and disappeared, reports said.

When people saw AR personnel cocking the guns in their hands and turning toward people, even those who came on two wheelers and four wheelers stopped their vehicles, left and fled.

One CBZ motorcycle (Regd No.MN-1 J-7622) was found fallen.

Another red colour Maruti car 800 (MN 05 A-1160) was also found without its driver on the roadside.

Even vegetable seller women left their merchandise and fled.

Troops of the Singjamei Chinga Mathak AR post came down to the spot.

They were seen pointing their guns at passersby and at their chest.

They kicked and beat some of the civilians.

Teams of Manipur Police commandos also rushed to the spot.

MLA of Singjamei AC, I Hemochandra arrived at the spot soon after the blast.

He resented the bomb explosions in crowded places.

Member of Manipur Human Rights Commission, RK Rajendro also came to the spot.