Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal

Imphal, Jan 5: Two people, including a woman, sustained injuries after back-to-back explosions struck Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Monday, prompting heightened security measures and fresh combing operations, officials said.

According to police, the first explosion—believed to have been caused by a locally fabricated improvised explosive device (IED)—took place inside an abandoned house at Ngaukon village under the Phougakchao police station area. The house’s occupants have been staying in a relief camp since ethnic violence erupted in the state in May 2023.

Shortly after, a second blast occurred roughly 200 metres away when villagers gathered near the site upon hearing about the initial explosion. Two residents, identified as Sanatomba Singh and Indubala Devi, were injured by splinters and taken to a government hospital. Authorities said their condition is stable and injuries are not serious.

Security forces, led by senior police officials, immediately launched a search operation to trace those behind the blasts. Tensions flared in the area as an angry crowd damaged a temporary security bunker nearby, alleging lapses by security personnel in preventing the incident and apprehending the culprits.

Meanwhile, in coordinated operations over the past 24 hours, security forces arrested five militants affiliated with banned outfits across Thoubal, Bishnupur and Imphal West districts. Those detained were linked to the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), along with its allied organisation, the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF).

Police said the arrested individuals were involved in extortion activities, targeting contractors, government employees, traders and local residents.

In separate operations, joint teams also recovered a significant cache of weapons and explosives from Imphal East and Churachandpur districts. Seized items included a self-loading rifle, a sniper rifle fitted with a telescopic daylight scope, a single-barrel gun, multiple pistols with magazines, country-made firearms, grenades, wireless communication equipment and around 100 kilograms of explosives, along with ammunition.

Authorities said intensified search operations and area domination exercises are continuing across vulnerable, fringe and mixed-population zones. As part of broader security arrangements, 111 checkpoints have been established throughout both hill and valley districts to monitor suspicious movements.

Security forces are also escorting vehicles, including trucks carrying essential supplies, along the Imphal–Jiribam National Highway (NH-37), with strict convoy protection in place along sensitive stretches to ensure safe passage.