Manipur remains tense amid five-day shutdown over killing of minors
Protests expose deepening crisis under New Delhi
Imphal: Manipur remains tense as a five-day shutdown paralysed normal life across valley districts, with widespread protests erupting over the killing of two minors in a bomb attack in Tronglaobi on April 7 that exposed the worsening security and humanitarian crisis in the state under New Delhi’s watch.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the shutdown, called from April 19 by civil society groups, Meira Paibis, and a Joint Action Committee (JAC), intensified after the attack that killed two children and critically injured their mother. Protesters have set April 25 as the deadline for the arrest of all perpetrators, warning of intensified agitation if demands are not met.
Security forces fired smoke bombs and tear gas to disperse a late-night torch rally in Sagolband, Imphal West, on April 18, as demonstrators demanded accountability for the killings.
Tensions escalated further after two civilians, including a former Indian Army man, were killed in an ambush along National Highway-202 on April 18.
Observers said the complete shutdown, civilian killings, and use of force against protesters reflect New Delhi’s failure to restore peace, with ethnic strife and public anger deepening across Manipur.
