Blasts near parade venue, CM hometown; 4 hurt

Four persons were injured when a series of bombs exploded in Manipur during the Independence Day celebrations on Wednesday.

The first explosion was reported from Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh's Assembly constituency of Thoubal at 7.30 am on Wednesday.

Police sources in Thoubal district said the explosion took place at Mela Ground when a hand grenade was lobbed. It was a low intensity explosion.

"Three persons who were in the vicinity were taken to hospital. This was just as a precautionary measure as they did not sustain major injuries. They have now been discharged," said a police official adding the explosion occurred far away from where the main Independence day celebrations were scheduled to be held.

The four injured were identified as Y Manao Singh (52), Sanabanta Das (22), Akoijam Ongbi Sanajaobi Devi (55) and Ningombam Manisam Devi (65).

The Imphal blasts took place at 9 am this morning at a distance of two km from the First Manipur Rifles Parade ground where Manipur's main Independence day celebrations were underway and Chief Minister Ibobi Singh was scheduled to give his speech. Police say the bomb, planted at a busy roadside at Sagolband in the capital complex, had been been set off by using a remote-controlled device.

At 9.10 am, the third bomb went off at Minuthong bridge on Imphal river—again near the parade ground of the First Manipur Rifles while the last explosion occurred in the Mahabali Temple complex in East Imphal at 9.45 am. The wall of the temple was damaged in the explosion but no other injuries were reported.

The Manipur police had intensified its drive and patrolling over the last week as a run-up to the Independence day celebrations. As many as 45 persons had been rounded up over the the week and taken to various police stations for verification. They were later released.

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