The restive state of Manipur has been jolted by a fresh wave of violence. In a deeply tragic incident in the Meitei-majority district of Bishnupur, two young children lost their lives during a late-night bomb attack.

The victims included a five-year-old child and a five-month-old infant. This devastating event took place on Tuesday, April 7th, at approximately 1:00 am. The target of this suspected militant strike was the residence of a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan located in the quiet village of Moirang Tronglaobi. At the time of the attack, the two young children were fast asleep alongside their mother, entirely unaware of the impending danger.

According to local residents, a suspected projectile was fired directly at the family's home. The impact triggered a massive and powerful explosion that tore through the residence. The blast was so severe that both the five-year-old and the five-month-old baby died instantly at the scene. The deafening sound of the explosion woke the surrounding neighborhood, prompting anxious villagers to rush toward the heavily damaged house in a desperate attempt to rescue anyone trapped inside the rubble. It was later revealed that the father, a serving BSF jawan, is currently deployed on duty in a different state. His wife, who works professionally as a nurse, was staying at home on maternity leave to nurse and care for their newly born infant. She sustained injuries during the blast and the resulting collapse.

Initial suspicions and local reports have pointed fingers at Kuki insurgent groups, alleging that they carried out the midnight strike. However, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), which serves as an umbrella body representing various Kuki civil society organizations, quickly released a formal statement to distance themselves from the event, completely denying any involvement in the deadly bombing.

In the wake of the tragedy, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh quickly made his way to Raj Medicity Hospital. His primary goal was to personally assess the health and condition of the grieving mother who had just suffered the unimaginable loss of her two children in the Tuesday attack. Following his hospital visit, the Chief Minister took to the social media platform X to share updates on the situation and express his outrage. Providing context to the government's response, he stated:

“Visited Raj Medicity this morning to assess the condition of the injured mother who tragically lost her two children in last night’s heinous attack at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai, Moirang. Directed officials to ensure the highest level of medical care and full support. This barbaric act is an assault on humanity and a deliberate attempt to disrupt Manipur’s hard-earned peace. I condemn it in the strongest terms.”

He further issued a stern warning to the perpetrators, firmly adding:

“Let this be clear, those responsible will be identified and dealt with strictly as per law. Such acts of terror will not be tolerated. Our government remains resolute in safeguarding every citizen. I urge all to stay united and stand firm against forces that seek to disturb our collective harmony,”

The heartbreaking deaths of the two children have ignited severe unrest across the region, sparking widespread alarm and raising deep concerns regarding the complete breakdown of law and order. To prevent the further spread of tension and misinformation, authorities took the immediate step of suspending internet services for three days across five major districts: Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur.

Down in Moirang, the grief quickly turned into intense public anger. Following the news of the children's deaths, large crowds of protesters descended upon the premises of the local Moirang Police Station to demand justice. The situation escalated rapidly as angry mobs set fire to transport trucks that were carrying essential goods. Widespread road blockades were also swiftly erected by the locals, bringing everyday movement and transportation in the area to a complete standstill. This tragic loss of life is the latest chapter in a long-standing period of turmoil, as Manipur has been caught in the relentless grip of consistent ethnic violence and clashes between Kuki militants and the Meitei community ever since May 2023.