Militants attack MLA's house, Manipur on high alert

Imphal, Mar 11 (UNI) Suspected militants attacked the residence of Congress MLA Bijoy Koijam at Thongju Pheija Leitong here late last night, close on the heels of the attack on the Manipur Assembly on March 8.

Police said two miscreants, riding a bike, hurled a bomb at the Legislator's residence. However, no one was injured in the attack.

Meanwhile, the proscribed People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) has claimed responsibility for the attack on the MLA's house.

The outfit also threatened that it will continue to attack the residences of the Ministers and MLAs.

However, the PREPAK (Chinglemba group) clarified that it was not involved in the bomb attack at the Assembly complex.

Police was still clueless about the persons involved in the attack on the Assembly.

The Manipur police is on high alert and security personnel have been posted at all strategic places following the incident.

Large numbers of security personnel have also been deployed to inspect passers-by.

The Manipur Assembly resumed yesterday after a bomb attack on March 8 by suspected militants.

Official sources said the main road on the northern side of the Assembly had been sealed completely and only the MLAs' vehicles were allowed on the road.

Normal traffic flow was being allowed on the eastern side of the Assembly complex facing the National Highway. However, a human chain of security personnel was guarding the eastern side of the Assembly complex.

Besides, all the four corners of the complex were being guarded and all the towers were manned by adequate security personnel, official sources added.

For the security lapses, the state government had suspended L Deven, Inspector OC, Traffic Police, Imphal, L Birbabu, MPS, DSP Traffic, Imphal and four other personnel.

The state Home department also effected a minor reshuffle in the police set up.

Imphal West SP Clay Khongsai had also been transferred to Thoubal district.

Manipur Chief Minister O.Ibobi Singh warned that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958, may be reimposed in the Imphal Municipal area.

The AFSPA is applicable throughout the state except the Imphal Municipal Council which covers seven Assembly segments out of 60 in the state.

Under the AFSPA, the military is empowered to take action against any person on mere suspicion.

The Chief Minister said the IG (Intelligence) had been instructed to submit a report on the recent attacks within a week.

He appealed to all political parties to cooperate in the fight against militants.

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