25 Kgs explosives 'gifted' to Raj Bhavan
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 18, 2009: In one of the most stupefying and audacious show of dare, a car laden with 25 kgs of explosives has been detected inside the Raj Bhavan, just 100 feet away from the Governor's office today.

The explosive found inside the steel coloured car was of sophisticated technology and it was being planned to trigger a blast inside the Raj Bhavan using mobile phones.

According to a press release issued by Imphal West SSP L Kailun, Manipur Police bomb disposal squad detected the Maruti car bearing registration number MN01/W-5048 parked at the parking area of Raj Bhavan in time.

On closure examination, the vehicle was found laden with explosives which were hidden at the cushion portion of the back seat.

The same had been hidden from easy detection by covering with seat cover.

A satellite picture of Raj Bhavan and the explosives being carted away in a vehicle

The quantity of the explosive was about 25 kgs and it included three HE grenades, iron nails, bolts and two mobile phone hand sets.

The explosive materials were taken out from the vehicle and detonated at a safe place.

A case has been registered at City police station and investigation launched into it, it said.

At about 11 am today, some unidentified persons came in two cars to the Raj Bhavan saying that they were members of a club and would submit a paper to the Governor.

Registering themselves in the name of one Th Koireng of Wangkhei in the security register, they went inside the Raj Bhavan, said a security man in the Raj Bhavan.

It is suspected that they might have left in one car while the other was left parked at the parking area of the Raj Bhavan.

At that time, the security personnel posted inside Raj Bhavan were unaware of the presence of explosives inside Raj Bhavan.

They came to know about it only when top police officers arrived there.

Later speaking to media persons at his office, Imphal West SSP L Kailun said that the owner of the car in which the explosive was fitted could not ascertained.

However, two-three persons suspected to be related to the car have been detained by police.

The explosives looked like gelatin type and it contained three hand grenades, two mobile phone hand-sets, iron nails and bolts and detonators, the SSP said.

The explosives were retrieved and later set off safely at Pangei police firing range.

To a query, the SSP said that the explosives fitted in the car with a plan to trigger it using mobile phones was of sophisticated technology.

Police would know something about it, Kailun said.

On learning about the presence of explosives inside the Raj Bhavan, DGP Y Joykumar and IG (L/O-I) M Karnajit came there.

They also talked to the Governor.

Media persons rushing to the Raj Bhavan on learning about the car-bomb were prevented by police from entering the Raj Bhavan.

Staff of the Raj Bhavan were also not allowed to go out of their rooms.

At about 3 pm, media persons saw a police Tata DI with a trailer coming out from the Raj Bhavan.

The trailer was carrying a drum in which the explosives were put.

The registration number embossed on the number plate of the bomb-fitted car was a forged one.

The registration number might be of another State, informed another source.

The car has been taken away by police.

The Governor had a programme to attend at Nagaland this morning.

But the trip was cancelled due to non-arrival of helicopter.

The IG AR (S) also came to the Raj Bhavan on hearing about the explosive inside the Governor's residential complex.

While 109 Bn CRPF are responsible for security cover the Raj Bhavan, CID and unarmed police personnel were manning the Raj Bhavan gate.

A police team was also deployed beyond the gate.

Today's daring intrusion of the car-bomb inside Raj Bhavan complex has reduced all the enhanced security meaures to a mockery.

After the bomb attack launched by KCP (MC-Lanheiba) at Raj Bhavan on December 21 last, the whole security arrangement around Raj Bhavan was re-assessed.

As per the revised security arrangement, more flood-lights were put up, height of compound wall raised, installation of CCTV cameras, removal of three offices and closure of all openings (doors and windows) of buildings facing Raj Bhavan etc.

In addition, the State Government has already requisitioned the Union Government to provide Special Security Group for security cover of the Governor and the Raj Bhavan.