Series of Violent Incident Rocks Imphal Valley; 1 Dead, 2 Others Injured

A series of violent incident including powerful bomb blast and arsoning has been reported from strife-torn Manipur since yesterday, leaving one person dead and two others injured.

The bomb blast has been reported from outside the DM College, at Thangmeiband in Imphal West. The blast site is also reportedly close to the office of the All Manipur Students Union (AMSU) office. AS per sources, the blast took place today at about 9:25 pm.

Two students sustained injury at the blast that occurred at around 10 pm yesterday at the office complex of a student body inside the DMU complex. Among them, one student identified as Oinam Kenegy (24) succumbed to injury while another identified as Salam Michael (24) is currently undergoing treatment at Raj Mdicity Hospital. Video of the blasts captured on CCTV went viral on social media. Source with the police suggested that the blast was triggered using remote control. Sources have also stated that the body of the deceased has been sent for post mortem at a hospital.

So far, no group has claimed responsibility regarding the blast.

At around 11.30 pm some unidentified persons burnt the office of the United Committee Manipur located at Lamphel. Around the same time, office of the Coalitions Against Drug and Alcohol (CADA) located at Pureiromba Khongnagkhong, MAPI Council office Manipur at Wangkhei, and Macha Leima at Palace Compound in Imphal East district. A vehicle was also burnt at Mayai Lambi road near Keishampat Laishom Leirak by miscreants. Around the same time unknown miscreants also blasted a bomb at the residence of an individual at Tera Yengkhom Leirak. However, no one was reported injured in the blast.

Meanwhile, reacting strongly to this violent incident, UCM consultant Yumnamcha Dilipkumar stated that whoever committed this arson should be apprehended and given strict punishment according to the law. He further expressed his dismay, stating that the arson of the UCM office was heart-breaking.

UCM is an organization consisting of multiple entities, and this incident has not affected the organization itself. He added, “Those who have done this, for whatever reason, should have talked to us directly first.” Lamenting the loss, he said, “All the documents that were painstakingly collected – a large collection of documents on the history and boundary of Manipur – are now turned to ashes.” He further stated that this is an intelligence failure on the part of the Manipur home department, and the government is responsible. Therefore, they should take immediate action. Dilipkumar emphasized that if the Manipur government is still in power, they should take appropriate action.