Imphal:A hand grenade was recovered from the residence of former Thongju Assembly Constituency MLA and former minister Bijoy Koijam at Thongju Pheijaleitong around 11 p.m. on July 4, prompting heightened security concerns and public condemnation.
Police, responding immediately after receiving information about the explosive, reached the spot, safely recovered the hand grenade without any untoward incident, and registered a case to investigate the matter.
The incident sparked outrage among local residents, who, under the banner of the Pheijaleitong Meira Paibi and the Students’ Welfare Committee, staged a sit-in protest on July 5. Condemning the placement of a live explosive in a densely populated residential area, protesters said the act could have resulted in a major tragedy and endangered innocent lives. They urged those responsible to reveal the motive behind the attack and appealed for political or personal differences to be resolved through dialogue rather than violence.
The recovery comes amid a series of recent attacks claimed by the proscribed People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK). In a statement issued by its Publicity Officer, Mangal Khuman, the outfit claimed responsibility for grenade attacks at Koijam’s residence on June 28 and July 4, as well as an explosion at the residence of Phurailatpam Bhavananda Sharma in Bamon Leikai, Brahmapur Aribam Leikai, on June 26.
In the statement, PREPAK accused Koijam of acting as an agent of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB). The outfit alleged that the former minister had been working in coordination with Indian security forces by approaching the families of its Red Army cadres and persuading them to recall their sons and daughters from the organisation, claiming that the effort was aimed at dismantling PREPAK.
The outfit issued a seven-day ultimatum to Koijam, directing him to cease what it termed “anti-revolutionary activities” and establish contact with the organisation. It warned that failure to comply would result in him being tried before its self-styled “people’s court.”
PREPAK also levelled allegations against Phurailatpam Bhavananda Sharma, Chief Executive Officer-cum-District Programme Coordinator for Thoubal district, currently posted at Kakching. The outfit accused Bhavananda, along with Sanjenbam Seema Devi (BDO, Wangjing Tentha CD Block), Kh. Rakesh Singh (Junior BDO, Wangjing Tentha CD Block), Kiromani (BDO, Lilong Block), and Surma Devi (BDO, Thoubal Block), of allegedly misappropriating funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
According to the outfit, the alleged financial irregularities occurred after the Administrative Committees of Gram Panchayats were dissolved pursuant to a court order dated August 29, 2025. PREPAK claimed that the officials compelled residents to constitute new committees and allegedly collected Rs3 lakh from each committee, besides demanding an additional Rs1 lakh to Rs3 lakh under the pretext of granting administrative and technical sanctions.
The outfit further directed those it identified as Bhavananda’s associates to establish contact with it within five days.