Villagers mauled in blast aftermath in Manipur

Imphal, March 01: At least six residents of Nongda village under Lamlai police station in Imphal east district were seriously hurt and several other youths got minor injuries after they were assaulted by personnel of the 8th Assam Rifles Yangangpokpi post this morning following a bomb attack on an 8th AR column in between Leimakhong Mapal and Nongda this morning by unknown UGs. According to an official source, the IED bomb which was planted by unknown UGs was first detected by an Army dog named Miss Mala which was accompanying an AR column on foot patrol along the Nongda road this morning around 10:30 a.m. After the detection of the bomb, the AR took necessary measures to prevent casualties of civilians nearby and blocked both sides of the road along the Imphal Ukhrul road near Nongda village. However, while the AR personnel were attempting to defuse the bomb, some unknown UGs suddenly exploded it by remote control at around 10:45 am. There was no casualty in the blast. Later this morning, AR troops came to the villages of Nongda and Chand khul, called out all the villagers into the nearby paddy field and reportedly assaulted several male youths, accusing them of giving support to the underground elements. Among the assaulted victims, one Saikhom Kunjo, 50 along with his two sons Kishna 26 and Inaotombi 23, and their cousins K Bijoy 25 and K Meipakehoo 30 were seriously injured and had to be evacuated to hospital. Several other male youths of Chand khul also sustained minor injuries.