By: Akoijam Tompok ( Asstt. Editor-North East cum Bureau Chief-ICN Manipur )
IMPHAL: Atleast two children died and three other received serious injuries in a grenade explosion in Manipur. The incident took place at Subunglong Part 1(Leisok) Village under Khoupum Police Station of Noney District. According to reports at around 11 am, the grenade exploded suddenly while the children were playing with it. The explosion left one children dead at the spot and injuring 4 others. Of the three injured one succumbed to his injury while evacuating to Imphal for medical treatment.
Villagers and police personnel of Noney Police Station brought the injured in a CHC Ambulance to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences(RIMS), Imphal. The one who succumbed to the injuries was declared brought dead by the doctors. The surviving 3 were undergoing treatment at RIMS in serious condition. The body of the 2 deceased have been deposited at the mortuary of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal East.
The deceased children has been identified as as Shahatngam Kamei, aged about 9 years Son of Late Ringlungpou of Subunglong Part 1 and Silas Kamei, 5 years Son of Khuaithaolung Kamei. Those who are undergoing treatment at RIMS has been identified as Gailuansui Gonmei, 9 years son of Kakinthai, Jaojianthulu Kamei, 2 years Daughter of Gaijaini Kamei and Guilianei Kamei, 4 years Daughter of Lungaithaulu Kamei all belonging to Subunglong Part 1.
According to Kakinthai Kamei father of Gailuansui said that as part of sunday prayer(he is a christian) all the villager were praying at the church. At the end of the prayer they heard a big bang(sound of explosion) which stopped their prayer. When they came out of the church and ran towards the site they found the children lying in pool of blood.
He further added that after seeing the children villagers grabed the children and took them to the Community Health Centre located nearby. After reaching the centre the children were brought to Imphal using the ambulance with police officials. The father also appealed the authorities concerned and the government to nab those culprit who are responsible and booked them.
According to police the children might have found the bomb by the children which was left unattended. It is suspicious that the bomb might have been fallen from some someone as the area has many operating underground groups. It is not clear whether the bomb was dropped intentionally. A case has been registered with the concerned police station. Such incident of children finding a bomb is rare in the state.
