13 killed, 35 injured in Imphal blast

Imphal, Oct 21 (UNI) At least 13 people were killed and 35 wounded in a bomb blast at Ragailong, Pandon, Imphal East near the Commando complex and Khuman Lampak sports complex today.

Eleven people died on the spot, while two others succumbed to injuries at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal.

Police said of the 35 injured, ten were in a critical state.

Most of the injured were admitted to the RIMS, Shija hospital, Imphal.

Police said the bomb might have been planted earlier and detonated.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, senior Cabinet Ministers, police and civil officials have rushed to the hospitals.

It was a bloody scene at the blast site with parts of bodies littered and blood splattered everywhere. Sound of people crying rent the air at the two hospitals.

The entire area was cordoned off. However, the motive was not yet known and no militant group has so far claimed responsibility for the blast.

The blast occurred after repeated attacks on the official residence of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh by cadres of the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK).

The latest attack happened on Sunday night, when PREPAK cadres threw a bomb at the gate of the CM residence. Police said none had been arrested so far.

The government had decided to station more security personnel near the vicinity of the CM's residence.

DGP Y Joykumar said the CM's residence and the Raj Bhawan were highly vulnerable, as both complexes fall adjacent to the busy national highway no 39 and there were too many high buildings nearby.

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