One Chinese-made hand grenade was found placed at the veranda of a residence at Langathel Thingel Leikai, Thoubal district which belongs to an individual who was reportedly declared ‘Wanted’ by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), on Sunday.
According to sources, the bomb was found placed at the veranda of the residence of Sanatomba who was declared ‘Wanted’ by the NIA for allegedly involving in the bomb attack at an Army convoy at Singhat sub division of Churachandpur on November 14, 2021. The bomb attack killed seven Assam Rifles personnel, including an Assam Rifles commanding officer along with his wife and their eight-year-old son, it added.
It stated that the residence where the bomb was found belonged to one Puyam Tenden, 54, son of late Herachandra from Langathel Thingel Leikai, Thoubal district. The family informed that the eldest son of Tenden, Sanatomba had not returned home since he ran away when he was 16-year-old, it added.
Tenden had been bed ridden after suffering from BP stroke while two of his sons had been working in a brick farm to provide for the family, it mentioned. The bomb was found by Tenden’s daughter in-law when she was about to prepare lunch around 10.15 am.
The source stated that an army team in casual outfits had often visited the family, asking for the whereabouts of Sanatomba. It stated that upon receiving news about the bomb, the army arrived shortly and told the family members not to inform the police, and that they will be taking the hand-grenade. Suspecting foul play, the family informed the Khongjom police, it added.
It also stated that a team of Khongjom police arrived and cordoned off the area. A team of Manipur Police Bomb Disposal Squad later arrived and retrieved the hand grenade around 2.55 pm and it was dispose of around 3.18 pm at Langathel Lanngam hill, it added.
