Wife of former MLA Yamthong Haokip succumbed to her injuries after being injured in a suspected IED blast at Ekou Mullam under Saikul Police Station in Kangpokpi district on Saturday around 3 pm.
As per sources, the deceased has been identified as Sapam Ningol Charubala, 59, of Khurai Chingangbam Leirak in Imphal East district. She is survived by her husband, a son and two daughters.
According to police, Yamthong Haokip acquired a property adjacent to his house in Ekou Mullam. The property belonged to his uncle’s son and it had a history of land dispute. However, his nephew was staying at Kangpokpi.
Yamthong Haokip along with his wife Charubala, his daughter and other family members were reportedly cleaning the compound and burning the wastes around 3 pm.
While the wastes were being burned, a bomb suddenly exploded and the splinter hit Charubala’s thigh. She was rushed to CHC Saikul from where she was referred to Shija Hospital.
Charubala reached Shija Hospital on Saturday at around 7 pm with the help of family friends. However, she succumbed to her injuries at 11.5 pm at Shija Hospital and the cause of death was most likely due to excessive bleeding.
Charubala’s body was returned to Ekou Mullam.
Following the incident, a case has been registered at Saikul Police Station. Police suspect that the bomb was a locally made improvised explosive device (IED).
Yamthong Haokip has also lodged a complaint to Sailkul Police station seeking on-spot investigation and probe into the nature of the blast.
A postmortem examination was conducted at CHC Saikul and her last rites were performed at Ekou Mulam. Her eldest daughter and son arrived at their residence on Sunday from Guwahati at 3 pm.
Meanwhile, the Police Control Room, Manipur Police stated that Charubala Haokip, 59, wife of former MLA Yamthong Haokip succumbed to an injury caused by an explosion as per prima facie evidence.
The blast occurred while she was burning some wastes inside the compound of the neighbouring house, which was recently vacated, stated a release.
Investigation is in full swing and the source of the explosion will be ascertained only after receiving the report from forensic units, it stated.
Late Charubala Haokip had been residing at Ekou Mulam since the past one and half year even after the communal violence, it stated.
It is therefore, requested not to spread rumours and link the incident with the recent communal violence, it added.
Search operations and area domination were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts, it mentioned
During the search operations, two unauthorized bunkers were dismantled at L. Phainom Village and Bunglon Village, Churachandpur District, it stated.
On Saturday, Security Forces seized 20 Soap cases containing suspected brown sugar, 100 detonators, one 5 metres safely fuse from an area near Tuidim River, Border Pillar 67 of Indo-Myanmar border, Khengthung Village, under Molcham PS, Chandel.
Movement of 336 vehicles along NH-2 with essential items has been ensured. Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations and security convoy is provided in sensitive stretches in order to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles, it mentioned.
A total of 105 Nakas/ Checkpoints were installed in different Districts of Manipur, both in the hill and the valley and Police detained 306 persons in connection with violations in different districts of the state, it stated.
It appealed to general public not to believe in rumours and be aware of false videos. Any circulations of unfounded videos etc. may be confirmed from the rumour free number 9233522822 of Central Control room. Further, appeal is made to public to return the looted arms, ammunition and explosives to the police or nearest security forces immediately, it added.
