A powerful IED blast rocked Manipur capital city Imphal on Tuesday. Five including four policemen and a civilian were injured in the blast at Thangal Bazar in Imphal. They have been taken to a nearby hospital. This is the second such blast within last 10 days. On Saturday, three personnel of 120 Border Security Force were seriously wounded when a powerful remote-controlled bomb was detonated near Telipati in Imphal east district. So far, no organisation has claimed responsibility for the explosion. Earlier in July, two women were injured when a bomb exploded near a two-wheeler servicing centre in the Thangmeiband area of Imphal West. Last year in May, an IED blast outside a BSF camp in East Imphal had claimed lives of two BSF jawans.
The news of the blast comes at a time when there are growing concerns over the outcome of Naga peace talks. Due to this, security has been heightened in Manipur, which has a sizeable Naga population, with additional companies of paramilitary forces being deployed in the state to "meet any eventuality".
Civil societies across Manipur have been holding protests, seeking assurances from the Centre that the solution to the vexed political issue would not be affecting Manipur's territorial integrity. Normal life was paralysed in several parts of the state last week due to a "cease-work" stir called in support of the demand.
Last week, the Centre had on Thursday said it was yet to conclude talks with Naga insurgent groups and would consult all stakeholders including the states of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh before finalisation of any settlement. All security establishments in the state have been put on high alert and a large number of paramilitary personnel deployed at important areas to check any "unwanted activities", a top government official said.
(With PTI inputs)
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