At least two civilians were injured after a powerful Improvise Explosive Device (IED) blasted at around 6.10 am today morning at Muirei Village junction along Imphal-Ukhrul road under Lamlai Police station. Both the civilians were working at the nearby field when the blast occurred. Eyewitness said that a team of 16 Assam Rifles were on foot patrol towards the site at the time of the blast. However, none of them were injured as they were about 400 yards away from the blast site.Soon after the blast the 16 AR team fires several round of gun shot in the air and arrested five persons who were seen running away after the blast site.According to our reporter, the IED was planted at the road site of the Muirei Village junction located in between Yaingangpokpi and Sabungkhok village along Imphal Ukhrul road. The impact of the blast damage portion of the roof of a waiting shed located nearby besides injuring the two civilians.The two injured persons were identified as Sagolsem Birchandra (72) son of late Amusana and Keisham Asobanta (45) son of K. Tolen of Sabungoh Awang Leikai. Both are currently undergoing treatment at Raj Policlinic.Soon after the blast, the team of 16 AR fires several rounds of gunshot in the air and arrested five persons from the nearby site. They were beaten blues and black by the AR jawan.On hearing the news of arrest, women folk of Muirei Village came out and demanded their released as they are civilian villagers.Until late in the evening, the five persons were not released.
