A bomb suspected to be planted by miscreants was found at a field near the road connecting Khongjom to Phundrei under Khongjom Police Station in Thoubal district on Friday. The spot is closely situated to the brickfield of Diamond Brick Firm owned by former minister Moirangthem Hemanta.
Speaking to the media, former minister M Hemanta who contested the recent by-election as a Congress candidate in Wangjing-Tentha assembly constituency said, miscreants may have planted the bomb at his brickfield to target him.
He said, “I believe the bomb threat was targeted on me. This has been the sixth time I am being threatened. They have been trying to intimidate me with bombs and even fired bullets.”
In 1996, when he was a minister, miscreants fired upon him in Khongjom and his escort was killed after receiving bullet injuries, he said. In two separate incidents, a bomb was hurled into his home at Tentha and exploded, he said, adding miscreants also opened fire into his home. His house at Palace compound, Imphal East also was attacked using bombs, he added.
As per sources, labourers working at the brickfield discovered the bomb, which appeared to be a mortar shell, while cutting grass on Thursday around 4.30 pm. The spot is located on the northern side of the brickfield.
After Khongjom Police Station was immediately alerted, a bomb disposal squad arrived and it safely exploded around 8 pm at a field. So far, no claims have been made by anyone regarding the incident.
Mentioning that he has not received any demands or information from any individual or group, the former minister appealed to those responsible for the incident, not to resort to acts of terrorism.
The police have registered a case regarding the incident.
