Two bomb blasts in Imphal; no casualty reported

Two powerful bombs exploded at a high-security area and at a minister's residence in Manipur's capital Imphal, but no casualty was reported, official sources said on Monday.

A powerful bomb exploded at the high-security Thangal bazar M G Avenue complex at 9 pm on Tuesday damaging roofs and windows of nearby buildings, the sources said.

The spot was about 50 metres away from city police station and also from Imphal West traffic police station.

It was not immediately known whether the bomb was hurled by militants, the sources said. No one was injured since there was no passers-by at that time.

In another incident, militants also exploded a powerful bomb at the private residence of agriculture minister Ph Parijat at Nongada area under Lamlai police station in Imphal East district at around the same time last night, the sources said.

The minister and his family members were not present at the time of the explosion as they stay in a government quarter here, the sources said.

A militant outfit had earlier threatened the minister for not awarding them a contract work, the sources said. No individual or group has so far claimed responsibility for both the incidents.