Police officers inspect the blast site in Imphal on Sunday. Picture by UB Photos
Militants continue to outsmart Manipur police by planting and exploding IEDs in Imphal, the main venue for Republic Day celebrations in the state.
The latest blast took place on the bank of the Imphal river at Keisamthong Laisom Leirak early this morning. The IED was planted in a garbage dump on the riverbank and no one was hurt in the incident.
Militants have exploded eight bombs in and around Imphal and five in other parts of Manipur after the coordination committee of six militant groups on Tuesday announced the customary boycott of the Republic Day celebrations. The coordination committee and two other active militant groups have separately called general strikes tomorrow.
Police said all the bombs were exploded through the use of remote control or timer devices.
The bombs were exploded despite elaborate security measures in and around Imphal. Police teams have been deployed at all entry points into Imphal for frisking and checking activities. The police are checking every vehicle and two-wheeler entering the city.
All the bombs were exploded either early morning or late at night. The timing of the explosions suggests those behind the blasts did not want any civilian casualties. "Militants want to demonstrate they still exist and are capable of exploding bombs by breaking the security cordon. So far, no one has been injured. We are taking enough measures to ensure a peaceful Republic Day," a police officer said.
Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh will take the salute from the march-past contingent at Kangla fort in Imphal tomorrow. He will later address the contingents at the parade ground of the 1st Manipur Rifles in the city.
Ibobi Singh said the explosions would not bring any good result and only antagonise the public. "The boycott of the Republic Day (by militants) is a routine matter and we do not know the objective of the bomb blast. It only terrorises people. So our appeal is to stop exploding bombs in public places," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
On the other hand, an official source in Guwahati said the ministry of home affairs has asked the northeastern states to maintain strict vigil ahead of Republic Day to foil any attempt by militant outfits to disrupt the celebrations.
BSF is also on high alert to prevent militants from crossing over from Bangladesh.
Security across Assam has been stepped up for smooth conduct of Republic Day celebrations tomorrow, keeping in mind the boycott call given by Ulfa (Independent) and NDFB (Songbijit). A multi-layer security ring has been thrown in and around the College of Veterinary Sciences playground at Khanapara in Guwahati, where Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi will hoist the Tricolour. Sources said Gogoi would hoist the national flag, as governor P.B. Acharya, who has triple charge of Nagaland, Tripura and Assam, will do the same in Nagaland.
Vital installations such as railway, airports, refineries and other important government offices have been put on alert keeping in mind the intelligence warning about possible militant attacks.
Meghalaya police today said security arrangements for the Republic Day celebrations were "nothing special" although the police in Khasi-Jaintia hills region are extra cautious in view of the 24-hour shutdown called by the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).
To boycott the celebrations, the outfit had called the shutdown, which commenced at 6pm today and will conclude at 6pm tomorrow.
However, there is no shutdown called in Garo hills in spite of the presence of several militant outfits in the region.
Sources said in the East Khasi hills, the police have been making elaborate security arrangements to ensure the Republic Day celebrations pass of peacefully and successfully.
"There is nothing special about the security arrangements. Everything is routine and normal although the local police in Khasi-Jaintia hills are on extra alert in view of the shutdown called by the HNLC," a senior Meghalaya police officer said.
Meghalaya deputy chief minister R.C. Laloo will unfurl the Tricolour and take the salute at Polo grounds tomorrow while chief minister Mukul Sangma will be present in Tura of West Garo Hills.
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