Lamka, August 11: Even as preparations were on in Churachandpur district for celebration of the Independence Day, a powerful blast shattered tranquility of the relatively peaceful township killing one and causing injuries to two others this evening.

In an appalling act of violence in the run up to Independence Day, a bomb, believed to be a hand grenade hurled on a BSF water tanker exploded about 10 metres from the gate of Churachandpur police station.

According to police sources, three gunshots were heard from Super Market opposite to the police station seconds before the explosion.

A cavity measuring about half a feet in diametre was visible on the site of the blast with blood stains of the hawker killed in the incident strewn across the street.

The hawker, identified as Umesh, 28, of Aktiyarpur village in Samastipur district of Bihar was immediately attended by the police and rushed to district hospital but succumbed there.

He was residing at Old Bazar here with one of his companion identified as Gopal, also a native of Bihar.

A cycle trolley in which he used to hawk eatables on the streets was shattered while he received multiple injuries and his right leg completely splintered.

The two injured were identified as Singkholen, 37 s/o Thongkhopau Haokip of K Salbung village and Khamnu, 38 w/o (L) Amar Imran Khan of Mandop Leikai.

Khamnu was selling fishes in front of the police station when the bomb exploded and the shrapnel pierced through her right thigh while Singkholen was injured on the left ankle.

Talking to this correspondent moment after the incident at the district hospital, Singkholen said, "alarmed by the gunshot I immediately started my auto-rickshaw and tried to move away, but the bomb exploded right behind me".

It was not known who the culprits were, but it was learned that they escaped on the eastern side of the police station through the busy Zenhang Bazaar.

A couple of bullets were also fired by the perpetrators as they fled through Rengkai Road, witnesses said.

Upon enquiry, the SP in-charge of Churachandpur TK Anal ruled out the incident aimed at subverting run up events to the Independence Day.

However, the attack right in front of the police station on the day the record breaking parade contingents of Churachandpur begin their practice march would have something else to say.

Condemning the blast, various student bodies of the district including CDSU, ZSF, KSO etc shared the grief of the bereaved family.

Saying that it would not tolerate such incident in the district, Churachandpur District Students' Union immediately declared imposition of a 24 hour total bandh in the entire district with effect from midnight today.

Meanwhile, four days ahead of the nation's Independence Day, 38 contingents made up of personnel of security forces, NCC units, schools and social organisations took part in the dress rehearsal for the celebration.

Gathering at Lamka Public ground, the location that will host the district level celebration of 60th year of Independence Day on August 15, participants marched through the dummy VIP dais where the Deputy Commissioner of the district as the chief guest will take salute from the contingent.

Ever since the celebration was marred by boycotts and bandhs in the early part of 90s, Churachandpur though the second largest town in the state had been witnessing Independence Day celebrations on a low key note.

The trend, however changes as the Indian Army make their presence felt since 2005.With the arrival of the Army, the celebration gained momentum each passing year with commendable increase in the number of March Past contingents.

Meanwhile, the district, although belated is undergoing positive changes in terms of infrastructural development particularly in the public transport sector.

The parking lot of the township where 150 passenger buses operating between Lamka and Imphal used to station is under going face-lift after lying neglected for about a couple of decades, while roads within the town are also under repairing with dual coats for the first time in its recorded history.

An expansive Inter State Bus Terminal, covering an area of over 5 acre will also soon come up on the southern side of the town's outskirts.

During his tour to the district on August 8, the transport minister L Jayentakumar had assured that relevant work will be initiated by September end.

The hot mix plant, a crucial machine for mechanizing the road construction has been relocated from the district on the same day the Minister made the significant promise.

It may be noted that the Chief Minister has on many occasion during his tour to the district called on the armed groups to let the machine alone.

The govt decision to shift the machine seemingly appears to be effected as a result of the armed groups' refusal to heed the call.

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