Imphal: Fresh violence in Manipur has left five people dead since April 7, including two children, with no arrests reported so far. Authorities face growing pressure as protests intensify and key roads remain blocked, affecting investigation efforts.
Officials said the Bishnupur Churachandpur road has remained blocked for 12 days. This has delayed the National Investigation Agency probe into the killing of two children in Tronglaobi. The siblings, whose father serves in the Border Security Force, were killed when a bomb exploded inside their home. Investigators have not received CCTV footage from the area. They also recovered an unexploded device with a rocket tip near the site.
Residents have staged protests demanding action. Clashes with security forces have led to injuries. Civil society groups from the Meitei community have accused Kuki Zo insurgent groups of involvement and demanded withdrawal of Central forces.
Supply lines remain affected. Essential goods to Pherzawl and Churachandpur now come through Assam and Mizoram due to blockades.
Violence has spread to other districts. On April 10, a BSF jawan died in firing in Ukhrul. On April 18, suspected militants ambushed civilians on National Highway 202, killing two Tangkhul Naga men, including a retired soldier. Officials suspect use of automatic weapons.
Earlier, three people died when security forces opened fire at a mob attempting to loot an armoury near Tronglaobi.
Authorities said recent violence may aim to trigger unrest amid outreach efforts across communities. Manipur has faced prolonged ethnic conflict among Meitei, Naga, and Kuki Zo groups. More than 250 people have died since May 2023. Thousands of weapons were looted during the unrest, with many later recovered.
