Attack, four blasts rock Manipur

An attack on the Assam Rifles post near Myanmar border and four explosions on Sunday marred Republic Day celebrations in Manipur despite strict security measures in place in view of a boycott call given by militant outfits, official sources said.

Two personnel of the 21 Assam Rifles were injured in the attack, but no casualty was reported in the explosions that occurred in and around the state capital, they said.

A Major-rank officer and a rifleman were critically wounded in the attack on Assam Rifles post at Sajik Tampak in Chandel district, the sources said.

The militants first triggered an improvised explosive device near the post and in the ensuing shoot-out, the two were injured. They were taken to the Military Hospital at Leimakhong, about 25 km from here, they said. Earlier in the day, the militants exploded two bombs at the capital complex near the Imphal West Deputy Commissioner’s office whenthe march past was on around 8.25 am at Kangla, the heart of the city.

Governor V K Duggal and other dignitaries were present at that time at the Republic Day function there.