TURA, MAY 27: Nine people were injured on Wednesday morning in Tura in a low intensity IED blast, which exploded at Mahabir Trade Agency Tura, one of the oldest hardware stores in Garo hills.
“One is seriously injured and admitted at Tura Civil Hospital others have been discharged”, said Mukesh Singh, West Garo hills SP.
The hardware store is located in the busy Tura market, about 200 meters away from Tura police station, and superintendent of police office, West Garo Hills.
The store is also adjacent to Tura Rikman Hotel and Sundare Hotel, which is popularly known as “circular Tura road”.
The biggest market of Garo hills – Tura Super Market, which has over 500 shops was just 10 meters away from Mahabir store.
Police suspect the IED blast is the handiwork of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) western zone area commander Karak alias Hedio Marak. The incident took place at around10:55 am, which has been triggered by a timer device.
“As usual, we had just opened the shop around 10:30 am. Our staffs were attending to a lady customer and suddenly there was an explosion. Two of our employees and the lady customer were hurt in the incident”, said the owner’s two son, who were witnessed to the incident.
All shops in the market were closed down soon after the incident. By evening, few daring ones opened their shop in the market.
Police has retrieved the CCTV footage from the store, which was fitted inside. “We have certain clues on the incident and investigations are on. We strongly suspect it to be GNLA”, the SP said.
The investigation team collected splinters from the spot. They also found a jacket which they believe was used by the rebels to hide the IED.
The adjacent shop had CCTV fitted outside facing toward the road. However, it was closed down last night due to thunderstorm and heavy downpour. Mahabir Trade Centre had just one CCTV, which was inside.
Six others who were injured in the incident were present around the store. A massive search operation has begun to nab those responsible for the blast around Tura and its adjoining areas.
“We condemn the cowardly act perpetrated by militants. This is not acceptable. Militants should come forward for negotiation. I on behalf of the government and as local MLA condemn the incident”, said Noverfield Marak, North Tura MLA, who visited the spot.
“The Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress is extremely saddened and horrified by the blast that happened at Mahabir Store in Tura Bazar today. We condemn this cowardly act and our prayers are with the injured who were directly affected by the blast and also with the people of Garo hills, said Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress president Richard Marak.
Marak said the MPYC urge the people to cooperate with the authorities to bring the criminals to justice and also to maintain vigil so that such attacks on peace and freedom do not happen in future.
On April 10, the outfit had issued a threat to launch major offensives including serial blasts. Insurgency activities have been on the rise since last year in Garo hills districts.- From Our Correspondent
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