Imphal: Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh on Thursday said a manhunt is under way to track down the culprits behind the series of blasts in the state capital recently.

The statement came on a day the proscribed People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak) claimed responsibility for Wednesday's bomb attack at the entrance of the 49 BSF camp at Koirengei in Imphal West district that killed two BSF jawans and injured three civilians, including two women. One of the women who was admitted to Raj Medicity is said to be in critical condition.

People and relatives of the blast victims on Thursday staged a sit-in at Koirengei protesting against the killings.

Biren Singh made the statement while interacting with reporters on the sidelines of Hill Leaders' Day camp at the Durbar Hall of the chief minister's secretariat on Thursday.

On the eve of the Koirengei blast, a jawan of the 22 Assam Rifles was injured when two bombs exploded at the PRO office (Sanjeevani) gate near Imphal Hotel.

"I have reviewed the situation in a security meeting held at my office last night," the chief minister said. He added that certain technical difficulties faced by the intelligence unit of state police must be addressed at the earliest.

"Updated technology will be acquired as soon as possible to counter security threats," Biren Singh, who is also in-charge of the home department, said.

Stating that public may face some inconveniences during the course of search operations, he urged people to cooperate with security personnel to arrest the culprits.

Biren Singh said the manhunt will continue until the perpetrators are arrested. "If peace prevails in Manipur, the state has the potential to become one of the most developed states in the country as there is no dearth of talent or resources."

On Thursday, secretary-in-charge, publicity and propaganda, Prepak, Leibaak Ngaakpa Luwang, in a press statement, claimed that the attack was carried out by Prepak's "red army".

"It was an attack on the Indian Occupational Force (IOF) to bring back lost freedom from the hands of imperialist-minded colonialist India and to give social equality to the people of Kangleipak that was independent for more than 2,000 years," said the press statement.

It added that Prepak will continue to launch such attacks targeting the IOF any time and at any place. The outfit expressed "heartfelt grief" for injuries sustained by three civilians "who have been struggling to earn a living".