Bomb explosion before Manipur CM’s visit to Kangpokpi district

Imphal, October 19

Miscreants triggered a powerful blast at a market place in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, a few hours before Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s scheduled visit there, police said on Friday.

The blast took place near the post office at Kangpokpi Bazaar, under the jurisdiction of Kangpokpi police station, shortly after Thursday midnight, the police said.

The blast occurred at around 1.10 am and there was no report of any casualty, a senior police officer told PTI, adding, that two cars were damaged in the incident.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh was supposed to visit a place near Kangpokpi Bazaar on Friday to lay the foundation stone for construction of a women’s market, and a transit accommodation for doctors and teachers, officials said.

The Chief Minister’s programme was scheduled to start from 10 am on Friday and it was not postponed due to the blast, they said.

Located around 45 km from the state capital Imphal, the site of the blast is hardly a km from where the CM and Social Welfare Minister Nemcha attended the programme on Friday, the officials said.

Meanwhile, the state police had stepped up security to ensure that such violent activities did not happen, the police officer said.

An investigation had been initiated, the police officer added. PTI