Imphal: A suspected hand grenade exploded at the northwestern side of the residence of Manipur govt spokesperson and BJP MLA Sapam Ranjan Singh at Konthoujam in Imphal West in the early hours of Friday.No one was injured in the incident. However, the explosion created a crater and caused splinter damage to the wall and window of a house belonging to the legislator’s aunt within the residential compound.Police sources said unidentified persons hurled the grenade towards the residence at 1.31am. It exploded shortly after being thrown.Police examined the site with the assistance of a forensic science team. The identity of those responsible and their motive have not yet been ascertained.Singh, the BJP MLA from Konthoujam assembly constituency and a former minister, said he was at home when a loud explosion was heard around 1.30am.Strongly condemning the incident, Singh said there was no justification for resorting to violence, particularly in residential areas. “At a time when Manipur is going through such a situation, what is the purpose of hurling bombs? What do they gain from such violent activities? I strongly condemn this. Such acts should not be allowed to continue as they are harmful to Manipur,” he said.Singh returned to Imphal on Thursday after meeting central leaders over the demand to implement the National Register of Citizens before conducting Census in Manipur.The explosion triggered concern among residents, with locals staging a sit-in demonstration in front of the MLA’s residence on Friday to condemn the attack.Konthoujam Ongbi Angoubi, president of the Konthoujam Chaokhat Khongthang Nupi Lup and a Meira Paibi leader, said the incident was particularly disturbing as the grenade had been hurled in a residential area.The protesters appealed to all concerned not to commit such acts of violence in the future.CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh also visited the residence of the MLA at Konthoujam Mayai Leikai. “I strongly condemn such senseless and barbaric attack on the residence of a people’s representative. This act of violence is an attack on our democracy and the perpetrators will be brought to justice soon,” the CM said in a Facebook post.
