Imphal, November 08: It was one of the grimmer days for the people of Manipur as at least 20 people were injured, with two still in very seriously conditions till the time of filing this report, when an unidentified youth lobbed a bomb near the Indian Overseas Bank located at Allu Galli in Thangal bazar today at about 4.30 pm.

At the time the explosion went off, the market place was teeming with shoppers.

All the injured have been rushed to different hospitals located in Imphal.

According to information culled from the site of the incident, the bomb went off right in front of a shop selling shoes and named Aman Enterprise which occupies the ground floor of the building housing the Indian Overseas Bank.

Eye witnesses said that they saw a youth clad in a black T shirt running away from the site seconds before the bomb exploded.

Some other eye witnesses said that they first sighted the bomb rolling down from the wall of Indian Overseas Bank and exploding in front of Aman Enterprises.

Following the explosion a strong police team led by the ADGP, IGP and SP of Imphal West rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation.

Search operations were carried out and the police immediately sealed Khwairamband bazar, stopping anyone from leaving or entering the market area.

Speaking to The Sangai Express ADGP JC Dabbas, who is the DG-in-charge said they still do not know which group was behind the bomb attack today and added that necessary investigation is already underway.

The senior police officer hoped to crack the identity of the group in the next few days.

Following the blast, five persons were rushed to Chamber of Commerce hospital but as the condition of two of them were stated to be critical they have been referred to JN Hospital, Porompat.

The three who have been admitted to Chamber of Commerce are identified as Akoijam Bhanu (40) and her son Anandkumar (18) and Mayaram Shor (37) of Bihar and staying at Alu Galli.

Bhanu and her son were later shifted to RIMS hospital.

Bhanu suffered splinter injuries on the right thigh while her son Anandkumar suffered injuries on the right wrist and left thigh.

Mayaram suffered injuries on the right side of the forehead and right thigh.

The others who were injured and admitted to RIMS hospital are identified as Jasmine Begum (28) of Kairang; Rajesh Malagar alias Balaji (22) of Silchar and staying at Nagamapal; Yumnam Surjamala (20) of Khurai Heikrumakhong and her younger sister Y Boinu alias Nirupama (19); Heisnam Binasakhi (60) of Uripok Sinam Leikai; Arambam ongbi Debala (55) of Meino Leirak; Pheiroijam Madhuri of Tera Sapam Leirak; Md Ayub Khan (30) of Paobitek; Lewis Yengmei (18) of Irang; Heikrujam Nirmala (28) of Nganappithong; Pradip Jain (30) of Alu Galli; Thokchom Mikoi (83) of Alu Galli, S Kamala (45) of Nagamapal Lamabam Leikai; Miss Reziya and M Thambalmacha (45) of Singjubung Leirak.

Later in the evening, Miss Reziya was shifted to JN hospital.

To chip in with whatever help they can, members of the Voluntary Help Unit Committee, RIMS has opened a counter at RIMS hospital.

Members of the Committee today donated 8 units of blood for Ayub Khan of Paobitek whose condition is stated to be serious.

The committee also donated a sum of Rs 500 to Lewis Yengmei of Irang to meet his immediate medical expenses.

The volunteers said that they will extend all possible help to the blast victims.

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