Eight persons, including three women, were injured when suspected Garo National Liberation Army militants today triggered a low-intensity IED blast at a busy market place in Tura town of Meghalaya's West Garo Hills district, police said.
The blast took place at around 10:55 am just outside the 'Mahabir Trade Agency', a shop at Tura bazaar, they said.
Western Range Inspector-General of Police F D Sangma said, "Militants are behind the blast in which eight persons were injured, all of whom were admitted to the Civil Hospital. The area has been cordoned off."
Low-intensity blast was probably aimed at creating fear among traders in the district who had been served with an extortion demand from the militants, said a police officer, who wished not to be identified.
The IG, however, did not rule out involvement of the GNLA in the blast.
Meanwhile, West Garo Hills district S P Mukesh Singh visited the site to review the situation after the incident and has ordered an inquiry.
The GNLA is one of the armed militant groups active in the Garo Hills region and were involved in kidnapping, extortion and killing of civilians as well as security forces since 2010.
