Tight security vigil in Imphal for Republic Day celebration

Our correspondent
IMPHAL, January 25

Security has been beefed up to thwart off any subversive activities in view of the upcoming Republic day celebration which will be held at the well guarded Kangla Fort in Imphal tomorrow.
As done in the past, the march past parade will be started from 1st Manipur Rifles parade ground and it will passed through Kangla fort, North AOC,Khoyathong, Kangla moat line and later converged at the starting point.The steps are taken up as major underground groups operating in the region including state’s Coordination Committee (CorCom), Manipur-a committee of major insurgent groups of Manipur, had called 21 hour total shut down beginning from 9 pm of January 25 as part of boycotting Republic Day celebration.
Appealing to the people to stay safe indoors, Joint Statement of CorCom, Kamatapur Liberation Organization, National Democratic Front of Boroland (S) and United Liberation Front of Asom (I) added that the restriction will be exempted to emergency services, media and religious activities.Frisking and checking of the vehicles and suspected passer bys have been intensified at the strategic locations across the state capital. Armed women constables of the Central Reserve Police Force were also deployed around 1st MR parade ground and along the Kangla moat line etc to avoid any unwanted incident.
However despite the security arrangement, a bomb believed to be improvised explosive device was exploded at Nambul river side near Keishamthong Laishom Leirak junction in Imphal around 9.30 am. But no one injured in the incident.
Police suspects hands of underground groups operating in the region as the major armed groups operating in the region had announced to boycott republic day celebration. So far around 12 bomb explosion cases were reported in the state in January.
Meanwhile state Chief Minister O Ibobi said all kinds of subversive and violent activities carried out by anti-social elements including the series of bomb blasts which were reported from different parts of the state recently would not serve any purpose. Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong an apex body of Tangkhul students in Manipur’s Ukhrul district also called upon the students and school authorities to stay away from the Republic day function in view of government’s failure to take welfare programs for students in the district.