In Manipur, eight persons have been killed and 21 others sustained injury in a powerful bomb blast at Khoyathong in Imphal tonight.

All the deceased have been identified to be non-local labourers working at the nearby areas.

The injured persons include both local and non-local labourers.

This is the highest ever casualty of non-locals in Manipur in the history of the State. Police sources said, the blast took place at around 7:30 tonight at Khoyathong under City Police Station in Imphal West District.

The bomb was reportedly hurled by some unknown miscreants at a temporary shed where some non-local labourers have been staying for the last few days.

Police rushed to the spot immediately just after the blast and conducted search operation. However, there is no report of any arrest in connection with the incident.

All the injured labourers have been hospitalized at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital at Lamphelpat in Imphal.