Fresh violence has once again gripped Manipur’s Imphal Valley, leaving four people dead—including two children—and more than 26 injured in a series of incidents on April 7 that have sparked widespread unrest and tension across the region.
The most shocking episode unfolded in the early hours in the Moirang Tronglaobi area of Bishnupur district. Around 1 a.m., unidentified attackers allegedly hurled an explosive device at a residence in the low-lying Meitei-dominated locality, situated close to the foothills of the Kuki-Zo-majority Churachandpur district. The blast struck while a woman and her two children were asleep inside their home, killing a five-year-old boy and a six-month-old infant, while the mother sustained injuries.
The incident quickly triggered outrage among locals, leading to protests that escalated into confrontation. A mob attacked a nearby camp of the Central Reserve Police Force located about 200 metres from the blast site. In the clashes that followed, security forces opened fire, leaving several injured. Officials later confirmed that two of those who sustained bullet injuries succumbed, taking the overall death toll to four.
State Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas indicated that the attack appeared to be the work of elements seeking to disrupt the fragile peace in the state. While the perpetrators remain unidentified, authorities say efforts are underway to apprehend them at the earliest.
Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh condemned the killings as a “barbaric act” and assured that those responsible would face strict legal action. He confirmed that a massive combing operation has been launched, involving the state police, Assam Rifles, and the CRPF, with helicopters also pressed into service to assist in the search.
A high-level meeting was chaired by the Chief Minister to assess the law and order situation in the State.
The unrest soon spread to other parts of the valley. Protesters torched two oil tankers and a truck, while a makeshift police outpost was vandalised. Demonstrations intensified across Imphal, with road blockades reported in areas such as Pangei, Khurai, and Langthabal, where tyres were set ablaze and vehicular movement came to a halt.
To prevent further escalation, the state government has suspended internet services for three days across five valley districts—Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur. Security forces remain heavily deployed as authorities attempt to restore order amid continuing tension.
The latest flare-up once again highlights the volatility of the situation in Manipur, where even a single incident can rapidly spiral into widespread violence, raising concerns over the durability of peace on the ground.
