Republic Day celebrations here were marred by a series of four explosions on Sunday between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. No casualties were reported.
Two bombs went off near Assam Rifles camps. Though the police swung into action within minutes, the perpetrators could not be nabbed.
The first explosion took place at 8 a.m. near the Imphal river a few metres from the police headquarters and the office-cum-residence of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, and that of Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam Gangmei, who is also in charge of the Home Ministry.
The second explosion was reported at 9.10 a.m. near the camp of I Manipur Rifles battalion while the third explosion was reported at 10 a.m. near the camp of Assam Rifles in Chingmeirong. The fourth explosion took place near the Assam Rifles camp in Singjamei.
Though no one claimed responsibility, the police believe CORCOM, the apex body of six underground organisations, is behind the explosions.
Most of the underground organisations in Manipur, which have spurned peace offers, boycotted the Republic Day celebrations. Five bombs were detected during patrolling on Republic Day eve. A hard-core insurgent was arrested and three guns and ammunition were recovered.
Blast in Agartala
IANS reports:
A crude bomb exploded on the outskirts of Agartala on Sunday afternoon. No one was injured. Four other bombs were recovered in the area and defused.
“When a man was setting fire to garbage at Abhoynagar on the city’s outskirts, a handmade bomb exploded. The police subsequently recovered four more crude bombs from the garbage and defused them,” police spokesman Bharat Debbarma told reporters.
Police are yet to detain any one in connection with the incident.
Republic Day was celebrated Sunday peacefully across Tripura. The main function of the day was held at the Assam Rifles ground where Governor Devanand Konwar unfurled the tricolour and took the salute.
