Rebels explode IED in Thoubal

Imphal: Suspected rebels triggered a powerful IED explosion near an Assam Rifles camp in Manipur’s Thoubal district on Saturday, a day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled Imphal visit. One person was killed.
The Assam Rifles camp is located adjacent to Lilong PS, near Imphal. The blast took place around 9.30 on Saturday morning, police said.
The deceased has been identified as M Hawazuddin (11) of Lilong Turel Ahanbi.The young boy was collecting harvested paddy remains when the bomb exploded, locals said. Irate Lilong locals have formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the incident.
Security forces, led by top officials, reached the spot and combed the area.
On Sunday afternoon, Modi will attend the closing ceremony of the Sangai festival at the historic palace compound in Imphal East. He will then interact with BJP’s Manipur unit leaders at the party office in Neiteipat Chuthek, near Raj Bhavan, in Imphal West.
Security has been increased in Imphal city and its surrounding areas.
The Coordinating Committee (CorCom), comprising six militant groups of the state, has called for a boycott of Modi's Imphal visit, terming him the head of a 'colonial regime'. Denouncing the visit, the CorCom, comprising KCP, KYKL, PREPAK, PREPAK (Pro), RPF and UNLF, announced a 24-hour 'curfew' in the state, beginning Saturday midnight.