Attempt on Manipur CM's life

IMPHAL: Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Wednesday escaped unhurt when armed militants ambushed his convoy in interior Thoubal district but two of his security guards were killed.

Official sources here said the ambush occured at 11.30 am when the Chief Minister was going to Sugnu, about 65 kms south-east of here, to attend a Congress party meeting.  Official sources said a militant was killed when the security personnel escorting the Chief Minister returned fire.

Sources said the militants hurled a grenade and fired at the last security convoy vehicle two or three seconds after the Chief Minister Ibobi Singh crossed Lamjao area, about 50 kms south-east of here.

The security personnel in the last vehicle returned the fire and in the heavy gunbattle two police commandos and one militant were killed, first official reports said.

This is the second attempt on the life of Ibobi Singh by militants in the last three years.  Militants had earlier made an ambush attempt on Ibobi Singh in 2003 at Wangjing area in the same district but he escaped unhurt although three security personnel escorting him were killed.