A bomb exploded at the residence of former MLA Nahakpam Indrajit Singh, in Thambalkhong Sabal Leikai, Imphal East, around 10.30 pm on Saturday; no casualties were reported.
Some unknown miscreants, reportedly taking advantage of the rain, arrived in a four-wheeler and hurled a bomb, suspected to be a hand grenade, at the residence. Police confirmed the explosion but reported no damage or casualties.
A case has been registered at the Porompat Police Station for further investigation.
Earlier, on July 25, a proscribed underground outfit of Manipur, the Kangleipak Communist Party-Military Council (Progressive) (KCP-MC, Progressive) faction, had warned the former MLA to surrender within five days for allegedly being involved in drug-related activities. They also announced a ‘shoot at sight’ order against him if he failed to surrender within the deadline.
It is yet to be ascertained whether the bomb blast incident is related to the warning from KCP-MC (Progressive).
Decrying the bomb attack, the meira paibi of Keshtrigao assembly constituency staged a one-day sit-in protest on Sunday at a community hall located in Nungthilchaibi, Thambalkhong Sabal Leikai.
Placards at the protest read, “We want peace, not bomb attacks. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable” and others were displayed by the protestors.
Toijam Luxmi, Secretary of Nungthilchaibi Mahila Mandal, said the locals strongly condemned the bomb attack on the residence of former MLA Nahakpam Indrajit Singh. She acknowledged possible misunderstandings with Indrajit but emphasized that issues could be resolved through negotiation rather than bombing in a congested area. She appealed to avoid such incidents in the future.
Vice President of Nungthilchaibi Club, Toijam Boby, questioned who would take responsibility if any casualties had occurred during the blast. He urged those involved to clarify to the public why such a crime was committed.
Nahakpam Ongbi Rekha, wife of Nahakpam Indrajit Singh, strongly condemned the baseless allegations by the KCP-MC (Progressive) on social media, accusing her husband of involvement in drug activities.
She stated that her husband has been actively working to eradicate drugs from the Keshtrigao assembly constituency. She suggested that the bomb blast might be politically motivated and called for those involved to clarify their actions at the earliest.
