Manipur blasts: Toll rises to nine

With one more person succumbing to injuries, the death toll in Manipur bomb blasts has risen to nine.

The banned People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has claimed responsibility for the first blast at Khurai area here in which two local persons sustained injuries, official sources said adding that both the bombs were improvised explosive devices.

Eight persons, all non-Manipuri labourers, were killed on the spot in the blast at Khoyathong area here in the second bomb explosion and 10 others sustained injuries by the splinters of the bomb. One of the injured succumbed to injures late last night. No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the second blast.

On 27 June, two non-Manipuri persons were killed and four others sustained injuries when unidentified persons exploded a powerful bomb at Uripok area near here, sources said.

Meanwhile, Manipur government has decided to give Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of the nine persons killed in bomb blast, official sources said.