Mail News Service
New Delhi, Jan 25: Four explosions have shaken Manipur state capital Imphal on Friday on the eve of the 64th Republic Day celebrations.
Imphal West and Imphal East districts have been put on a high alert following the blasts, police said. However, no report of human casualty was reported in the explosions.
Police sources were saying the explosions were caused by IEDs.
One explosion was reported inside the headquarters of 1st Manipur Rifles around 7:30 am, another on the bank of the Nambul River section of Keishamthong Longjam Leirak around 10:15 am and a third in front of main gate of Raja Dumbra Singh High School in New Chekon around 10:55 am.
The first explosion that took place about 30 metres south of the Parade Ground of 1st Manipur Rifles hit a store room which was partially damaged. The Parade Ground is the main venue of the Republic Day celebration prepared by Manipur Government. Police officials from Imphal Police Station rushed to the site and assessed it.
The police conducted verification on people who were working and decorating the ground for Republic Day celebration, including people living in the family line. However, no arrest was made during the verification.
The second bomb exploded at a trash site on the bank of Nambul River. The police blocked the traffic along Nongmeibung road stretch at Konung Mamang Traffic Island for some time after the third explosion in front of Raja Dumbra Singh High School.Imphal East District Police’s Superintendent of Police Angam Kamei along with other police officials also assessed the site.Another bomb blast took place around 8: 05pm in front of Guwahati High Court complex .
This was the forth blast for today in the heart of Imphal.
The blast took place just in front of Tasar farm opposite to Guwahati High Court at Chingmeirong.
Security forces are patrolling all over the city but fail to prevent the bomb blast as no officer were ready to give a statement to the media regarding the bomb blast.
However, Co-ordination Committee (CorCoM), an umbrella body of militant outfits based in Manipur, the conglomerate organization of seven militant groups in Manipur, including other several militant groups of the Northeast have jointly called a 13-hour general strike in the region to boycott the 64th Republic Day celebrations of India, to be celebrated on January 26.
Nine personnel of Manipur police have been awarded Police Medal for Gallantry and Police Medal for Meritorious Service to another seven personnel on the occasion of Republic Day celebration, 2013.
According to statement from Police Department, Government of Manipur, Potsangbam Tarunkumar (Sub-Inspector), Radhakishore Tongbram (Havildar), M Roshan (Havildar), Maibam Uttam (Sub-Inspector), M Nungshibabu (Havildar), Md Rajib Khan (Sub-Inspector), Oinam Sanjitkumar (Rifleman), Sagapam Ibotombi (Sub-Inspector) and Khangembam Herojit (Rifleman) have been conferred with the Police Medal for Gallantry on the occasion of Republic Day celebration, 2013.
It further said L Ibotombi, Commandant, 2nd IRB, M Manimohon, Deputy Secretary (Home), Mangkhojang Kipgen, Assistant Commandant, 4th IRB, N Sanatomba, Subedar, Manipur Police Training Centre, Y Indrakumar, Subedar, 6th IRB, N Binoy, Inspector, Imphal West and L Nabachandra, Havildar, 7th Manipur Rifles have been awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service on the occasion. Gurbachan Jagat, Governor said in a message, “It gives me immense pleasure to warmly greet the people of Manipur on the occasion of Republic Day, 2013 and my best wishes to them all. Eight hundred and seventy five personnel have been awarded police medals on the occasion of the Republic Day this year.
They include the President’s Police Medals for Gallantry (PPMG) to one person, Police Medals for Gallantry (PMG) to 115 personnel, President’s Police Medals for Distinguished Service to 88 and Police Medals for Meritorious Service to 671 personnel.
Thirty-seven personnel have been awarded Correctional Service Medals. They include President’s Correctional Service Medals for Distinguished Service to five individuals, Correctional Service Medals for Meritorious Service to 29 and President’s Correctional Service Medal for Gallantry to three persons.
It was on this day in 1 950, that we gave ourselves a Constitution declaring our country as a Sovereign, Secular and Democratic Republic. From that day, our Constitution has been the guiding principle of our nation. We should on this occasion pay our homage to the founding fathers of the Constitution for their insight and understanding.
The young Indian democracy has stood firm against adversaries and it is our responsibility towards the valiant freedom fighters to make our nation a leaders, amongst the comity of nations. Successive elections have shown the power of the ballot and the will of the people. We all are now the proud citizens of a democratic nation.
India with its young population is on the verge of emerging as a leader among the nations. There is an urgent need to channelise the talent and potential of our youth to make a positive impact on society. Let us all work together to make our country a strong, peaceful and prosperous nation.
On this auspicious occasion, let us once again resolve to uphold and promote the secular, socialist and democratic values enshrined in our Constitution and work together in making our country a leader among the nations.
On the occasion of 64th Republic Day of our country, Lt Gen AK Sahni, SM, VSM, GOC 3 Corps convey his greetings to all ranks of the Army, Ex-servicemen, their families and the dynamic people of the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura. The GOC said that let us all resolve together to uphold and promote the secular, socialist and democratic values enshrined in the Constitution of India and work unitedly for making our country stronger and prosperous. The GOC further appeal to all insurgent groups in the North East to give up violence, come to the negotiating table and resolve their grievances through dialogue.
The GOC appreciated and thanked the people of North East states for cooperation with the Army and assure that the Army will continue to be friendly in all spheres.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/republic-day-to-be-celebrated-today-blasts-rock-imphal/
