A powerful bomb exploded in Imphal city this morning as Republic Day celebrations began in the state capital amidst tight security clamped in the wake of the boycott of the event announced by militant outfits in Manipur.

No casualty was reported in the explosion, official sources said.

They said that the explosion was reported at around 8 AM as the march past began at Kangla in the heart of the capital complex.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had yesterday said that violence would not solve any problem in a democratic country like India and appealed to the militant outfits to join the national mainstream and participate in development programmes.

The co-ordination committee of six major insurgent outfits have given a boycott call for Republic Day celebrations over their claim that, "Manipur was forcibly merged with the Union of India".

Police sources said they have stepped up security and blocked all exit points to launch a combing operation in the capital complex. They said it was not yet clear whether the bomb was planted or hurled.