Guwahati: A live hand grenade was discovered at the entrance of GP Women’s College, located near the Manipur Raj Bhavan in Imphal, on Monday morning, amid growing concerns over explosion threats.
This alarming incident prompted students to protest, calling for enhanced safety measures for educational institutions, even after the grenade was successfully defused by the bomb disposal squad. The situation is particularly serious given the numerous extortion threats reported against various educational establishments in Manipur.
The women’s college is strategically positioned just 100 meter from the Raj Bhavan and 300 metre from the chief minister’s official residence, highlighting the gravity of the situation. A police source said the college authorities have not yet confirmed whether they received any extortion threats from militant groups or other miscreants.
“Police have expedited the investigation and are working to identify those responsible for placing the hand grenade at the college entrance. CCTV footage from the area is being thoroughly examined,” said an official from Imphal police station.
Authorities have yet to determine if militants or miscreants are involved in this act targeting the govt college. The grenade was found with a warning note criticising the “fascist education system” and advocating for a “free education movement” that honours the rights of working-class students. The note read: “Down with the fascist education system; honour the rights of the proletarian students’ free education movement; glory to the proletarian students.”
A police officer said pedestrians near the college gate on Central Jail Road first noticed the grenade around 6 am on Monday. A police team cordoned off the area, and the bomb disposal squad was called in. The device was defused and subsequently disposed of in the Lamphel Game Village area of Imphal West district at approximately 7:20 am.