IndoBurma border town tense after remotecontrolled blast breaks peace

IMPHAL: A bomb blast early on Saturday at the no man’s land in Moreh shattered the fragile peace of the border town ahead of the Independence Day celebrations. No casualty was reported.

Hijam Chaoba, station house officer of Moreh police station, told IANS the blast was triggered by suspected trans-border militants at 5:20am. The explosion scooped out a big crater at the blast site.

The remote-controlled bomb was planted opposite the Sun Rise Club in Moreh. Police and personnel of the 11 Assam Rifles rushed to the spot. However, no arrests were made.

Last week, a remote-controlled bomb was planted at the boundary pillar No.79. However, locals noticed it and informed the police. The bomb was neutralised only after the bomb squad arrived from Imphal several hours later.

The border town has witnessed several blasts. Besides, one woman was shot dead two months back. No one has been arrested so far in the case.

There have been general strikes and other forms of agitations in protest against bomb blasts and killings. But the police say it is leaving no impact since suspected militants continue to unleash violent activities.

Home minister N Biren Singh told IANS that the government is concerned over the increasing violence in the border areas.

He added: “In the recent past, state and central forces personnel were killed and wounded in well executed ambushes. Police have intensified patrolling”.

LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS SUSPECTED THE HAND OF TRANSBORDER MILITANTS BEHIND THE REMOTECONTROLLED EXPLOSION IN MOREH