Five hurt in Paona Bazar blast
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 16: While Manipur Police were conducting search operations in four Government Departments located in Imphal area, a powerful blast ripped through Videocon House in Paona Bazar at about 12.45 pm today injuring five including a woman.

According to information received from the spot, an interview for recruitment of two drivers in Videocon House was conducted at about 11 this morning.

As the interview was proceeding, a bomb exploded in the shop with a thundering sound.

In the explosion, a father and son duo who came to attend the interview and a man and a woman who came to inquire about the price of television sets for an upcoming wedding sustained severe multiple injuries.

Different scenes at the Videocon House, Paona bazar after the bomb blast that ripped through the shop and injured five persons

The injured victims are identified as Thokchom Sharmila (37) d/o late Angangmacha of Chingamakhong Chongtham Leikai, Chongtham Hemsingh (32) s/o late Chaoba of Chongtham Leikai, Irungbam Devan (52) of Khurkhul Awang Leikai and his son Surjit alias Nanao (19) and Asem Satyabrata (38) s/o Achou of Thoubal Wangmataba.

According to Sharmila, her marriage has been fixed on November 26.She was coming to the Videocon House with a younger brother of her locality (Hemsingh) to inquire about prices of TV sets.

"Just as we entered the shop, a round object was seen hurled into the shop and it landed on the floor after hitting a refrigerator.

The object was seen emitting smokes.

Suspicious as I was of the object, I held Hemsingh's hand and tried to pull him back.

But as Hemsingh turned back to look at the object, it exploded", Sharmila said.

Hit by splinters all over his body, Hemsingh collapsed soaked in blood, Sharmila said adding that she too sustained injuries in the right wrist, right foot and calf.

Surjit and his father Devan were coming to Videocon House to inquire about the interview for recruitment of drivers.

But it turned out that the interview was being conducted at that moment.

As they waited in the shop, the bomb exploded causing them severe injuries.

Surjit sustained multiple injuries at the calf, shin, arm and back.

Devan was hurt at two spots in right shin and at another two spots in the right thigh.

Satyabrata hit by a splinter in the left chest is being treated at Shija Hospital.

All the other four injured victims are being treated at RIMS.

It is reported that the condition of Hemsingh is critical.

Besides the injuries, seven washing machines and seven refrigerators were damaged by the explosion.

Proprietor of the Videocon House, Laishram Sarat (55) s/o late Gourachand of Keisampat Leimajam Leikai reportedly told police that there was no case of monetary demand from any UG group.

The bomb which exploded at Videocon House today was similar to the one which was hurled at Reebok showroom at Paona Bazar on November 3.It was a crude country made bomb, said police.

In Reebok showroom incident, two individuals sustained injuries.

Police recovered a few pieces of jute rope used in tying up the explosive and some clutch wire pieces from the site.

At the time the explosion took place, Manipur Police were conducting search operations in the PWD office complex at Khoyathong, Electricity office at Keishampat, DRDA office at Lamphel and Minor Irrigation office complex.

From the office complexes, police pulled up 50 individuals for verification.

On the other hand, it is reported that an IED was discovered by a patrol party of 193 Bn BSF at a place in between Thinungei and Ningthoukhong KhaKhunou on Tiddim Road at about 4.45 pm today.

The IED was retrieved by explosive experts of Manipur Police and set off safely.