Former minister faces Twin bomb threat, 6 arrested in connection with extortion

Imphal: Amid the rising issue of extortion in Manipur, unknown miscreants lobbed two hand grenades at the residence of former minister Bijoy Koijam of Thongju Pheija Leitong in Imphal West district on Wednesday

Both the grenades failed to explode.

The attack occurred amid ongoing police crackdown on extortion, with incidents of bomb threats at residences occurring almost daily.

Manipur police confirmed that the explosives were 36 HE hand grenades, found without safety pins at the residential gate of the former minister which falls under the jurisdiction of Singjamei police station.

The bombs were discovered by passersby around 7 am.

A police team rushed to the spot, and due to the absence of safety pins, a bomb disposal squad was also deployed. The team safely defused both grenades by 7:45 am.

The motive behind the attack remains unknown, and no individual or group has claimed responsible for it.

“I am still unaware of why they attacked at my residence. It could have injured my innocent family members. If they have an issue, they should approach me personally instead of resorting to violence, ” Bijoy said speaking to reporters.

A case has been registered at Singjamei police station for further investigation.

Manipur police arrested six cadres of three different underground outfits on Wednesday in separate incidents, in connection with extortion activities.

In the first operation, four cadres of the proscribed underground outfit Kangleipak Communist Party-People’s War Group (KCP-PWG) were arrested from their camp at Kameng Sabal Leikai under Lamshang police station, Imphal West.

Police seized two pistols (.32 caliber loaded with seven rounds and 9mm loaded with ten rounds), one 9mm empty case, 13 donation cards, and other incriminating materials from their possession.

“The arrested persons were involved in recent extortion activities, including serving monetary demands and collecting money from the general public, shop owners, stone crushers, government employees, and pharmacies in and around the Imphal area,” police said.

In another incident, Manipur police arrested 38-year-old Moirangthem Gobin alias Khaba, an active cadre of Kangleipak Communist Party-City Meitei, from the Erumpal area in Kakching district. Police said he was involved in extorting money from residents of Kakching and Thoubal districts.

One 51-year-old Pebam Dhakeshor Singh, an active cadre of the banned underground outfit People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Progressive), was arrested from Singjamei Okram Leikai, Imphal West. He was allegedly involved in extortion and monetary demands from the general public in the Singjamei area.