7 injured in grenade blast in poll-bound Manipur

At least seven persons were injured in a bomb blast at Thangmeiband area in Imphal West district of Manipur on Tuesday afternoon, as suspected militant attacks continued in the run up in the assembly poll-bound state.

Police sources said unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade at the gate of the poll office of Trinamool Congress contestant Kh. Joykisan Singh of Thangmeiband Assembly constituency.

Seven persons were injured in the blast and rushed to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital, the sources said.

In an earlier attack a grenade was hurled at Congress candidate Md Ali, but it did not explode at Yairipok in Thoubal district, police said.

Another grenade was exploded near a Congress worker Th Dhanasyam at Lamlai in Imphal East district, but he too luckily escaped unhurt, during the day, police said.

Grenades were also lobbed at the house of an executive engineer of electricity department at Thingom Leikai in Imphal West district and another government official S Noren at Kangjabi area in Imphal West district this morning, but did not explode, police said.

Militants had so far attempted to set off grenade blasts at 15 places targetting Congress candidates and their supporters in valley districts since the poll dates were announced on the grounds that the party was opposing their movements.