UNLF claims role in Manipur House attack

IMPHAL: The proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF) on Saturday claimed responsibility for Friday's attack on the Manipur assembly complex here, in which a BSF jawan and two assembly staff were injured.
The outfit, which is fighting to restore Manipur's past independence, in a statement issued to the media on Saturday, said that the grenade attack was carried by a special team of the tactical unit of its armed wing, the Manipur People's Army (MPA).It, however, expressed regrets and sorrow over the injury inflicted on two assembly security staff - M Manoranjan and Y Jony from Bishnupur district's Nambol area. "Attack on Indian security forces will be continued until Manipur restore its sovereignty," said the statement.
To avoid casualty in such an attack, the outfit appealed to the personnel of 'blood brother' state forces like police, Manipur Rifles and IRB to remain distant from the central forces while on duty and taking rest.
The injured BSF jawan, RP Mishra from Madhya Pradesh, was on sentry duty as a dog handler at the time of the explosion. All the injured are said to be out of danger.
Meanwhile, Manipur assembly speaker Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday strongly condemned the grenade attack at the house's complex here on Friday and termed it as an act of terrorism.
Security has been beefed up at various parts of the capital and other valley districts in view of the blast and as preemptive measures ahead of the upcoming 10-day Manipur Sangai Festival, scheduled to begin from November 21. Khemchand ,who led a demonstration staged by employees of assembly against the attack, questioned as to what message did they (attackers) want to give in their attack at the assembly ahead of the Sangai festival in which a large number of tourists from across the world would join it.
"Hurling and exploding bombs at the assembly, the temple of democracy, is an act of terrorism and I strongly condemn it," the speaker said. Stating that the police have already launched a manhunt against the attacker, the speaker exuded confidence that they would be pulled up soon.
"No intimidation nor monetary demand was made on the assembly by any group in the past," he said and added that people want peace.
Members of the Assembly Employees' Welfare Association categorically sought to beef up security at the assembly complex to thwart such attack in future.
Security has been beefed up at various parts of the capital and other key strategic areas of other valley districts in view of the ensuing Sangai festival, the biggest state-sponsored tourism festival.
As part of the measures, police commandos carried out a sudden combing operation at palace compound close to the main venue of the festival and its surrounding areas in Imphal East on Saturday morning.