Imphal: Barely 24 hours after the peaceful celebration of Republic Day amidst a boycott call by ultras, unidentified militants exploded a bomb at a high-security market complex in Imphal injuring four persons today (Jan 27, 2004).

The militants hurled the bomb at Khwairamband market complex on Gandhi Avenue in the heart of the city at around 9.00 hrs (IST), official sources said.

Four persons - N K Shukla, Mohammad Sanatomba, Mohammad Maniruddin and Mutum Rajen - were injured in the blast. They were admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical College Hospital in a serious condition.

Police and para-military forces were posted at vulnerable points and security patrol intensified at strategic points to detect movement of armed militants who exploded the bomb.

The sources said some suspects were rounded up during a search operation after cordoning off the market.

No organisation has so far claimed responsibility for the bomb blast, the sources said.

The police were wondering how the militants sneaked into the town area, as heavy security bandobast were there in view of yesterday's Republic Day functions and today's retreat and cultural programmes in connection with the celebrations.

Separatist Manipur People's Liberation Front had given a boycott call of the Republic Day celebrations.