Source The Hindu
IMPHAL — Fresh violence erupted in Manipur on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, leaving four people dead and several others injured. The unrest was ignited by a midnight bomb attack in the Bishnupur district that claimed the lives of two young children, ending a period of relative calm in the conflict-ridden state.
The Incident
The violence began around 1:00 AM in the Moirang Tronglaobi area. Suspected militants targeted a residential home with a “rocket-like” projectile or explosive device. The blast killed a five-year-old boy and his six-month-old sister while they were asleep. Their mother was critically injured in the attack and is currently undergoing treatment.
The victims belonged to the Meitei community. While local groups have pointed fingers at Kuki militants, representative bodies from the Kuki-Zo community have denied involvement, according to official reports.
Escalation and Police Firing
As news of the children’s deaths spread, public outrage boiled over. Thousands of residents took to the streets in Bishnupur and the Imphal Valley, burning tires and blocking key roads. The situation turned lethal when a large mob attempted to storm a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp located near the foothills of P Gelmol.
In an effort to disperse the crowd and protect the facility, security forces opened fire.
Two protesters were killed in the ensuing gunfire.
At least five others sustained bullet injuries.
Protesters also torched two oil tankers and a truck near a local petrol pump.
Government Response
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh condemned the bombing as a “barbaric act” and an “assault on humanity.” He confirmed that the case would be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a thorough probe.
“Let there be no doubt, those responsible will be identified, hunted down, and dealt with firmly under the law,” the Chief Minister stated following a high-level security meeting.
Emergency Measures Imposed
To prevent the spread of misinformation and further escalation, the state government has implemented the following measures:
Internet Shutdown: Mobile data and internet services have been suspended for three days in five districts: Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Kakching, and Thoubal.
Curfew: An indefinite curfew has been clamped across the affected valley districts.
Increased Deployment: Additional paramilitary forces have been moved to the “buffer zones” between the hills and the valley to prevent retaliatory strikes.
The ethnic conflict in Manipur, which began in May 2023, has now claimed over 260 lives and displaced more than 62,000 people. This latest flare-up marks one of the deadliest incidents involving minors since the start of the unrest.
