Fresh violence has shaken Manipur again. This happened when hundreds of protesters gathered in Wangjing on Monday night. They tried to set a government office on fire.
The protest took place one day before Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand was going to open the new Block Development Office.
A policeman named Takhelchangbam Romesh Sharma got seriously hurt during the clash. He is 37 years old. Was working at the Wangjing police outpost. He suffered head injuries. They took him to a hospital and he is in the intensive care unit now. His condition is very critical.
Protests Continue Across Five Districts
The violence is because of the deaths of a five-year- boy and his six-month-old sister. They died in an explosion at Tronglaobi this month.
Thousands of people are joining night torch rallies across these districts. They want justice for the children. Protesters are not following the night curfew. The curfew is from 5 PM to 5 AM.
A five-day bandh started from Sunday midnight across these districts. People are very angry.
Police Arrest 19 Bandh Supporters
The United Naga Council announced a 72-hour shutdown in Naga-dominated areas. This protest is against the killing of two Tangkhul Nagas. They were allegedly attacked by suspected Kuki militants in Ukhrul on Saturday.
Government Hands Ambush Case to NIA
Tensions increased on April 7 when the two minors died in the Tronglaobi explosion.
On the day three more people were killed after security forces opened fire on a mob. The mob had attacked a camp in Bishnupur during protests over the children’s deaths.
Meitei Groups Intensify Pressure
Torch rallies have been held in Meitei-dominated areas of Imphal Valley. Groups like the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation and COCOMI are organizing these rallies.
On Sunday COCOMI announced a boycott of all activities of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the state.
CM Khemchand Faces Growing Challenge
He took charge over a year after former CM Biren Singh resigned in 2025. President’s Rule was imposed in the state after rising pressure and internal conflicts.
After deploying thousands of security personnel violence continues in Manipur. Ethnic clashes started in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. At 260 people have died and nearly 60,000 people have been displaced since then.
The Meiteis mainly live in the Imphal Valley while the Kukis mostly stay in the hill areas. Although CM Khemchand says there are no buffer zones, between communities the government has marked several sensitive areas where tensions remain high.