imphal, Sept 9 (MNS/NNN) : An Assam Rifles jawan was killed and six others injured in yet another powerful blast in Manipur this morning planted by Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), the armed wing of Revolutionary Front (RPF). Some of the injured are said to be in critical condition who are being treated at the military hospital at Leimakhong.
The incident happened at Kangshoibi bridge which is located between Kumbi Kangshoibi Khong and Kumbi Uchal Makhong in Bishenpur district at around 6 am.
Yesterday’s Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion was also triggered by the same militant outfit which was preceded by the explosion planted by United National Liberation Front (UNLF) on September 5 at Keishampat area in Imphal.
Regarding today’s blast, a Naik Subedar of 33 Assam Rifles identified as Sriniwas Rao was killed instantly on the spot while 10 other jawans of the same company got injured with some of them sustained grievous injuries.
The 33 Assam Rifles is under B-Coy which is located at Moirang Khunou Block under Bishenpur district.
According to reports, among the 10 injured, 4 jawans are Manipur origins. They were shifted to a military hospital at Leimakhong which is around 20 kilometres north of Imphal by an army chopper.
Meanwhile, the RPF while holding responsibility for today’s blast, has said that more of such attack will continue. “ Manipur will be the graveyard of the Indian Army,” said the RPF in a press communique issued by its publicity secretary T Leisemba.
The RPF then cautions the public that in the event of more such attacks by the outfit on the Indian Army the latter may turn their wrath and barrels on the civilians.
It can be noted here that after yesterday’s blast targetting the Sikh Regiment at Tiddim Ground in Imphal, the RPF had pledged that the bombs of the RPF would now run after the Indian Army. The outfit had claimed that it had already completed all its strategies to attack the Indian army. “The time now is to shout slogan that no Indian Army in civilian areas and not the usual slogan, ‘don’t plant bombs in civilian areas’”, stated the RPF.
In Saturday’s blast, an Army Lance Naik and another civilian were wounded after Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).
Harjindar, a Lance Naik of A-Coy, 18 Sikh Regiment, a native of Gurudaspur, Punjab was wounded yesterday and the civilian’s name has been identified as Akham Shanti, 31, son of A Modhu of Kwakeithel bazaar.
Meanwhile, security has been beefed up in the valley areas following the rising incidents of blast triggered by militants.
Frisking on civilians by the police has been enhanced as a pre-emptive measure taken up by the state government.
Militant organisations are trying to make their presence felt by planting bombs in public places in the past one week, said Manipur Home minister Gaikhangam while condemning the blast.
Home minister said before every election whether small or big, underground outfits always carry out violent activities. “The Panchayat election in Manipur will be held on September 13 and these groups are trying their best to remind the people about their existence,” said Gaikhangam.
The state Home minister then said dialogue is the best weapon to solve any problem. “The state government of Manipur is always ready to facilitate for dialogues between the underground organisations and the government of India,” said the state Home minister while adding,”The time has come for talks and that any group has the liberty to express their desire and discontentment during the dialogue.” The Home minister further stated that violence can never bring a solution but dialogue is. “The state government has been putting its best effort with utmost sincerity to facilitate the various groups for holding dialogues and this is the only and the best way for solving any problem,” stated Gaikhangam, adding that creating situation where a fear psychosis reigns among the public by the underground groups is condemnable.
Meanwhile, security situation in Manipur has become a farce affairs as blasts continue to rock the state since the recent time.
The series of blasts also came in a time when a co-ordination committee (CorCom) of seven major underground groups of Manipur including UNLF, RPF/PLA, PREPAK, PREPAK-PRO), UPPK, KYKL and KCP had served a quit notice to non-locals to leave Manipur by December 31.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/gaikhangam-condemns-bomb-attacks-ar-jawan-killed-in-blast-six-others-injured/
