Manipur Deputy CM escape unhurt in militant attack, security personnel injured

According to the reports, the ambush was reported at Thingkhongjang village in the newly created district of the poll bound north eastern Indian state at around 8-30 am, where the Deputy CM Gaikhangam was going to address an election rally.

The Deputy CM was on his way to his residence in Gaidimjang in  Khoupum to hoist the party's flag in connection with the 11th assembly poll in Manipur.

However there was no report of casualty from the site of the incident.

Gaikhangam was safely escorted till Gaidimjang in a bullet proof vehicle.

Manipur police said that, following the militant attack the cavalcade of Gaikhangam, also the state Home minister stranded for a hour.

Police said that, suspected NSCN (IM) militants are behind the attack.

Following the incident, the area has been cordoned off by the security forces.

On the other hand, an IRB rifleman was injured when unidentified gunmen fired at security personnel who were on duty at Nungkaolong area in Khoupum part 3.

The incident occurred in the afternoon around 12-30 pm.

The injured security personnel was identified as Yumnam Jenish from Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai and rushed to hospital.

The trouble torn state witnessed several militant attacks on security personnel in past three months during the ongoing economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) since November 1.

Manipur is going to hold the assembly poll on March 4 and 8 in two phases.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)