Militants attack panchayat pradhan's house

The militants lobbed the grenade at the house of Sagolband Thounaojam Leikai gram panchayat pradhan W Brajagopal (45) at Ghari area near Imphal airport at around 9 pm last night, sources said adding that four persons including Brajagopal's younger brother W Brajamani (40) were injured.

The injured were taken to a nearby hospital.

Sources said according to local eyewitness, some persons in a Maruti car and hurled the grenade which exploded instantly damaging portion of the house besides injuring the four.

Brajagopal and his family members were present at the time of the incident.

Family sources said no militant group or organisation had demanded money from the pradhan.

"It appears to be the handiwork of political opponent," said Brajagopal whose wife W Radhapriyari is contesting as a Zila Parishad member in the the next month's Gram panchayat elections.

Official sources said militants of some outfits had earlier attacked some houses of some particular repeat particular candidates of gram panchayat and Zila parishad elections next month warning them with dire consequences if they disobeyed the diktat.

No reason was given, source said.