Manipur hands bomb attack probe to NIA, protests leave two dead, curfew and internet shutdown imposed

Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Tuesday announced that the state government has decided to hand over the investigation into the deadly bomb attack in Bishnupur district, which claimed the lives of two children, to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Meanwhile, a police official said that two protesters were killed and three others injured in firing after a mob stormed a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Bishnupur on Tuesday.

Strongly condemning the Tronglaobi Awang Leikai incident, the Chief Minister said the act appeared to be the handiwork of individuals or groups with vested interests in disturbing the fragile peace in the state.

“After detailed discussions with Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh and other MLAs, we have decided to hand over the case to the NIA,” Khemchand Singh told the media at his official residence.

He added that the perpetrators have not yet been identified and that a massive combing operation is currently underway.

Combined security forces, including the state Police, Assam Rifles and CRPF, have been deployed across the area.

Helicopters are also being used to track down those responsible, the Chief Minister said, expressing confidence that the culprits would be apprehended soon. He also said that a high-level security review meeting was held earlier in the day with senior officials from the Army, Assam Rifles, state police, and the CRPF. Instructions were issued to intensify operations and ensure swift action.

Appealing for calm, the Chief Minister urged people not to be driven by emotion and to cooperate with security forces in restoring normalcy.

A large number of people, including women, staged a massive protest condemning the killing of two children in a bomb attack at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai village, and according to officials, stormed the CRPF camp near Gelmol, located a few hundred metres from the blast site, setting vehicles on fire and vandalising property.

The bomb attack at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai was reportedly carried out by suspected Kuki militants.

The incident took place around 1 a.m. when a powerful explosive device, allegedly fired by suspected Kuki militants, struck a residence, killing a five-year-old boy and his five-month-old sister instantly, while their mother sustained injuries. The victims were reportedly asleep at the time of the attack, which also caused extensive damage to the house.

The Chief Minister and Home Minister also visited the injured family members at a private hospital in Imphal

Home Minister Govindas Singh, who was also present at the press briefing, described the perpetrators as “peace disruptors” who attempt to derail normalcy whenever the situation begins to improve.

He said that during the high-level security meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, security forces were instructed to launch an intensive combing operation to capture those responsible for the blast, dead or alive.

The Home Minister also stated that state commandos have been redeployed in hill areas after a long gap, using bulletproof vehicles to strengthen ongoing operations.

He said that five protesters sustained bullet injuries during the protest after demonstrators attempted to storm the CRPF camp on Tuesday morning. Of them, two later succumbed to their injuries, while several others sustained minor injuries.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister expressed sorrow over the death of another minor girl residing at the Akampat relief camp in Imphal East district. He announced ex gratia assistance and assured all possible support to the victim’s family, while extending condolences to the bereaved.

The eight-year-old girl, who had been missing since Sunday, was found dead beneath the Singjamei bridge along the Imphal River on Monday, police said.

A suspect in the case was arrested on Monday.

In a bid to prevent further escalation of violence in view of the bomb attack at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai village, the Manipur government on Tuesday suspended internet and mobile data services, including broadband, for three days across five districts in the Imphal valley. The five districts are Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur.

Officials said the suspension was necessary to curb the spread of misinformation and maintain law and order. Additionally, an indefinite curfew has been imposed in Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, and Kakching following widespread protests over the killing of the two children. District Magistrates of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur and Kakching have issued separate orders enforcing curfew in their respective jurisdictions starting Tuesday.

IANS