Manipur CM Vows Firm Action After Deadly Blast Kills Children, Sparks Protests

Chairing a high-level security review meeting, the Chief Minister emphasised that strong and decisive measures are being implemented to prevent and neutralise any threats to public order.

This marks the third such review meeting since Tuesday's (April 7) tragic incident, when a powerful bomb -- allegedly fired by suspected Kuki militants -- struck a house in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai village in Bishnupur district.

The explosion claimed the lives of a five-year-old boy and his five-month-old sister, who were reportedly asleep at the time. Their mother sustained injuries in the blast, which also caused extensive damage to the house.

Following the meeting, the Chief Minister stated in a Facebook post: "We undertook a comprehensive review of the prevailing concerns, evaluated the measures already in place, and reinforced our coordinated response to ensure effective ground-level implementation."

Reiterating the government's stance, he added: "The Government remains firmly committed to safeguarding peace and stability. Strong and decisive steps are being taken to prevent and neutralise any threat to public order."

"While the situation remains sensitive, I urge all citizens to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities. Together, with collective responsibility and vigilance, we will restore normalcy and ensure a secure and peaceful Manipur," he said.

The high-level meeting was attended by Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, Chief Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, and Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home) N. Ashok Kumar, along with senior officials from various security agencies and the Manipur Police.

In parallel, several organisations met the Chief Minister and submitted memoranda outlining their concerns, which were discussed in detail during the deliberations.

Taking to social media platform X, CM Singh wrote: "The Tronglaobi incident and subsequent unrest are a serious breach of peace. The Government is taking firm, time-bound measures, in accordance with constitutional provisions, to restore normalcy and ensure security. Assured continued public engagement and decisive action to uphold the rule of law and safeguard the interests of all."

In another post, he said the state remains in close coordination with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, adding: "The Tronglaobi incident is deeply unfortunate and disrupted ongoing peace efforts. Strict action will be taken against those responsible. The government remains committed to restoring peace, ensuring security, and upholding the rule of law."

Meanwhile, public anger over the incident spilt onto the streets as a large number of people, including women, staged a protest rally in Imphal on Thursday.

The demonstration was organised under the banner of several groups, including the All Manipur United Club Organisation (AMUCO), All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association (AMAWOVA), Porei Lemarol Apunba Meira Paibi, Committee on Human Rights (COHR), and the Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF).

Defying curfew orders imposed by the district administration, the rally began from Kwakeithel around noon and proceeded along Tiddim Road. It was eventually halted by a heavy deployment of security personnel, including State Police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF), at Hodam Leirak.

A brief confrontation took place before authorities permitted a small delegation from the five organisations to meet the Chief Minister. The protesting groups alleged bias by central forces in favour of Kuki armed groups and demanded the withdrawal of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements with these militant outfits.

Amid the tense situation, police also thwarted an attempted self-immolation by a 32-year-old man in front of Lok Bhavan in Imphal on Thursday afternoon. The individual, identified as Sinam Appolo from Mayang Langjing, reportedly took the extreme step in anguish over the killing of the two children in the April 7 blast.

Authorities intervened in time, preventing further escalation as tensions continue to run high across the state.

- IANS