Manipur police on Monday claimed to have arrested two persons allegedly involved in the recent failed hand grenade attack at Manipur Raj Bhavan.
On January 19 afternoon, miscreant(s) lobbed a hand grenade at the main entrance gate of the Raj Bhavan. The Chinese-made hand grenade failed to explode.
Police said that the two arrested have been identified as Laishram Ibosana Meitei alias Jojo alias Kengba alias Maikel (42), son of late L Shamugou of Khongman Zone-IV and Konsam Manithoi Singh (46), son of K Bihari of Lairikyengbam Leikai, both from Imphal East district.
Addressing a press conference at the conference hall of Imphal West district police, Manipur Police DIG (Range-I) Themthing Ngasangva said that the two persons were arrested during investigation into the incident. He also said that during the investigation, the police analyzed footage of the CCTVs installed at various locations of the city apart from collecting intelligence reports. According to the police officer, Ibosana was arrested on January 24 and during a raid at his house, and the police recovered eight circuit devices, two while colour remote controls and two mobile phone handsets.
Further operations based on his disclosure led to the arrest of Manithoi from his house Monday (January 25) morning, he added. An i-20 brand car allegedly used in hurling the hand grenade and a Pleasure brand scooter and four mobile handsets were recovered during the operation, the police officer claimed.
According to the police DIG materials for triggering IEDs were also recovered during the operations. Further investigations are on if any explosive was planted to disrupt the Republic Day celebration in Imphal.
The DIG further said that the two accused were also involved in various bomb explosions in Imphal city areas and were arrested earlier too. They remained at large after they went out of the jail after obtaining bails. The DIG alleged that both the accused were involved in hurling and exploding hand grenades at Lilashing Khonangkhong in July 2019 and at AG gate in January 2020 and grenade blast and IED plantation at Yaiskul Police Lane in July 2019 among others. The police officer also said that the recent failed bomb attack at the Raj Bhavan was a part of their plan to disturb the smooth conduct of the Republic Day.
He then said that stringent security measures have been put in place across the state ahead of the Republic Day celebration, asserting that police have put on alert to combat any unwanted incident during the celebration.
Taking part in the press conference, IG (Zone-I) K Jayantakumat Singh said that police have been on high alert as there were possibilities of planting of bombs at different locations of the state as main parts of the explosive devices like detonators and remote controls were recovered from the two arrested accused.
The IG then cautioned the public not to attend any unidentified suspicious object if found. Instead, inform the nearest police station, he said.
NNN
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