Imphal, Jan 16 (IANS) With the arrest of one more person by the security forces, the total number of accused apprehended in connection with the bomb explosion at a petrol pump in Manipur’s Bishnupur district has risen to two, officials said on Friday.

A police official said that security forces arrested Pukhrambam Bimol Meitei alias Inaobi (41) from the Lamphel Sana Keithel area under Imphal West district.

Pukhrambam Bimol Meitei, a resident of Kakching district, is an accomplice allegedly involved in causing the explosion at a fuel station at Moirang Thana Leikai in Bishnupur district on January 8.

From his possession, security forces recovered one SMG carbine along with four magazines containing 107 live rounds, one 9 mm pistol with a magazine loaded with five live rounds, two HE-36 hand grenades along with two detonators, and a two-wheeler (Honda Activa).

Further investigation into the fuel station blast is underway.

Earlier, a hardcore militant of the banned Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) outfit, identified as Hijam Manichandra Singh (35), was arrested for his alleged involvement in causing the explosion at the petrol pump at Moirang Thana Leikai on January 8.

Efforts are on to arrest the remaining accused, the official said.

According to the police, militants riding a two-wheeler hurled a bomb at the fuel station on January 8, triggering an explosion. Though no one was injured, the blast caused damage to the fuel station.

To protest the two consecutive attacks — on January 8 in Bishnupur district and December 6 in Imphal East district — all petrol pumps across the Manipur Valley and adjoining areas remained shut on January 10.

The shutdown was called by the Manipur Petroleum Dealers Fraternity (MPDF), demanding adequate security for fuel outlets and their staff.

In a letter addressed to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the MPDF said that despite assurances from the authorities, petrol pump owners and workers continue to face serious security threats, particularly after the January 8 bomb blast.

The MPDF’s demands include enhanced security at petrol pumps to prevent future attacks, government accountability in cases of incidents such as bomb blasts or kidnappings, payment for damage to infrastructure, and adequate monetary compensation in case any dealer or staff member is injured or killed.

The MPDF also sought compensation for the damage caused to the Bishnupur fuel station in the January 8 blast.

Meanwhile, security forces, in a joint operation during the past 24 hours, recovered some arms and ammunition from Imphal West district.

Manipur Police also arrested an active cadre of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) militant outfit, identified as Ningthoukhongjam Sushil Singh alias Kangla alias Ishingchaoba (47), from his locality under Imphal West district.

Security forces, comprising central and state agencies, continue extensive crackdowns against militants, with search operations and area domination drives underway in fringe, mixed-populated and vulnerable areas across districts.

–IANS

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