Corcom claims responsibility for recent Manipur serial blasts

In an attempt to make people stay away from celebrating this year's Republic Day, militants carried out four IED blasts at various locations across Manipur.

A n IED was triggered off at Babupara, near the Deputy Commissioner's office, followed by three other blasts at Moirangkhom, Chingmeirong and Singjamei.

However, no casualties were reported.

The Coordination Committee (CorCom) of KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF and UNLF claimed responsibility for the serial blasts.

Chonbi Devi, a local resident, said: "The incident took place around 9 a.m, when my son and his two associates, including my younger brother's son went up the hill. And, when I was returning back from marketing at Sangakpham Bazaar, just before I crossed the road, the blast took place. I got dizzy looking to what caused the blast."

A similar explosion also took place at the Assam Rifles post in Chandel District.

CORCOM, the apex body of six major insurgent outfits of the state, had given a call to boycott this year's Republic Day celebrations.

However, people defied them and came out in large numbers to celebrate the occasion.

Tombi Devi, another resident, said: "Earlier, people were afraid and stayed away from the celebrations. Now, no one cares about boycott calls and bomb attacks, and they come out in large numbers on the Republic Day. We have come to celebrate the occasion by defying their boycott call."

Militants have been trying to spread terror through blasts and killings in Manipur. But, the security forces are on high alert to prevent any untoward incident in the state.