Guerrillas attack state chief minister residence

KUN0036 4 GEN 0205 FRANCE /AFP -HOJ5 MIL-INDIA-ATTACK-MINISTER Guerrillas attack state chief minister residence NEW DELHI, Nov 15 (KUNA) -- Separatist guerrillas of the outlawed People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) attacked late Tuesday the residence of the Chief Minister of Northeast Indian state of Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh. News agencies said Wednesday that the guerrillas lobbed a grenade at the chief minister's in Imphal, the capital of Manipur, which exploded inside the building without injuring anyone. Chief Minister Singh was in Delhi at the time of the attack. PREPAK, fighting for an independent homeland for the majority Metei community in Manipur, claimed responsibility for the attack. Ibobi Singh has survived two previous assassination attempts by rebels. In last May, guerrillas ambushed his convoy but he escaped unhurt. In 2003, guerrillas killed three of Ibobi Singh's security guards in another ambush on his convoy. Manipur police Wednesday beefed up security in capital Imphal after the attack, news agencies reported. There are more than 25 rebel groups in Manipur, which borders Myanmar. The demands of the groups range from secession to autonomy and the right to self-determination.(end) dr.ema KUNA 151237 Nov 06NNNN