Manipur: Former MLA's wife killed in bomb blast

 A former MLA's wife was killed in a bomb blast in Manipur's Kangpokpi district. The blast occurred at a house next to former Saikul MLA Yamthong Haokip's residence.

Sapam Charubala (59) was the wife of Yamthong Haokip, a former legislator from Manipur's Saikul. (Photo: India Today)

India Today, 11 Aug 2024 : The wife of former Manipur MLA Yamthong Haokip was killed in a bomb blast outside their home in Manipur's Kangpokpi district. The incident occurred on August 10 (Saturday) near the home of Haokip, a former legislator from Saikul, in Ekou Mullam village.

The blast occurred around 3 pm when the family, including the victim, Sapam Charubala (59), were engaged in cleaning work outside the house, Saikhul police station officer in-charge said.

Charubala was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to her injuries and the remaining others did not suffer any injuries, according to the officer in-charge.

According to a preliminary investigation, it appeared that the bomb went off when Charubala was burning some waste materials in the compound of the neighbouring house, which was recently vacated, a police statement said.

An investigation was on and it was not clear who planted the bomb at Haokip's house. The officer in-charge said Haokip and his family did not face any threats earlier.

The police appealed to people "not to spread rumours and link the incident with the recent violence in the state".

Over 200 people have died and thousands were rendered homeless in ethnic violence that broke out between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kukis on May 3 last year.

PTI: A former MLA's wife was killed in a bomb blast in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, officials said on Sunday.

The bomb blast was triggered at a house adjacent to that of former Saikul MLA Yamthong Haokip on Saturday evening, they said.

Sapam Charubala, the second wife of Haokip, was injured in the blast and was taken to a health facility in Saikul but later succumbed to her injuries, the officials said.

Haokip was also in his house when the blast took place but he was not injured in the incident.

Police are investigating the matter.