Aizawl: A powerful bomb, suspected to be a bundle of gelatine sticks, exploded near the counting hall for the election to the lone Mizoram Lok Sabha seat tonight (May 8, 2004), official sources said.

Show your Mom how much you love her


The explosion occurred at 10.15 hrs (IST) in front of the chamber of an advocate, opposite to the counting hall, which is within the premises of the Aizawl Deputy Commissioner's (DC) office, heavily guarded by the State police and central para-military personnel.

The blast damaged window panes of the DC's office and adjoining buildings including the DC office canteen, the chamber of the advocate Michael Zothankhuma and the office of the vernacular daily 'Romei', whose editor Robert Lalchhuana is the president of the Mizoram Journalists Association.

No one was injured in the incident, State Chief Secretary H V Lalringa, who visited the spot, said adding the target was the counting hall but the explosion could not be caused there due to tight security arrangements.

Elections 2004-Where is India heading...
Political Parties in India

State Director General of Police M Tumsanga, Aizawl district Deputy Commissioner C Tawnluaia and Superintendent of Police L T Hrangchal also rushed to the spot.

The SP said that full investigation would be launched to apprehend the culprits.

The Opposition parties alleged that the 3,620 Bru votes were forcibly collected by underground Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF) from the voters and posted at a post office in Assam's Silchar.

Two ZNP leaders, impersonating as election officials, were suspected to have snatched away a mailbag containing postal ballot papers for the Bru people from the Aizawl Head Post Office on May 5.

Police have been on the lookout for the two persons who were still at large.