2 killed, 7 hurt in blast near Manipur CM's residence

Two persons were killed and seven others got seriously injured when a powerful bomb, allegedly planted by militants, exploded at Yaiskul area in Imphal West district of Manipur on Wednesday morning, police said.

The bomb (improvised explosive device), planted near the roadside at Yaiskul bus stand here to attack the security personnel, went off at 6.20 am killing one person on the spot and injuring eight others, they said.

While one of the injured died in a hospital, the condition of seven others who are now in the emergency department of the Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital was reported to be 'serious', sources said.

The spot is about one kilometre south of the official residence of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Manipur police headquarters which is adjacent to Singh's office-cum-residence, sources said.

Immediately after the incident, senior  police officials rushed to the spot and blocked the exit points to launch a search but no arrest could be made, sources said, adding that the bomb might have been planted late last night with a timer.

Wednesday’s explosion is the second such incident in two days

Five persons were injured when a powerful bomb exploded on Tuesday at Imphal market complex, about one kilometre north of Ibobi Singh's residence and the Raj Bhavan. 

The victims have been identified as Hollun Taothang (45) and Leishung Brojen (32).

While Taothang, a resident of Churachandpur district, was a businessman, Brojen hailed from Imphal East district.

The incident comes a day after the state law and order situation was reviewed during a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Ibobi Singh on Tuesday evening.

State Chief secretary P C Lawmkunga, Director General of Police M K Das, Superintendents of Police of Imphal East and Imphal West districts were present at the meeting, sources said.

Another meeting would be held today to discuss the series of bomb explosions in the capital complex in the past one week amid tight security deployment.

No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the explosion so far.

Police posts in outlying areas of Imphal East and Imphal West districts have been put on alert and instructions have been issued to step up patrolling and checking of suspected persons to intercept the movement of the militants within their jurisdiction.