At least five protesters demanding justice for a five-year-old boy and his six-month-old sister, whose killing in an explosion in Trunglubi in Bishnupur district this month sparked fresh violence in ethnic violence-hit Manipur, were injured in a clash with security forces near Prime Minister Yumnam Khimchand Singh’s private residence at Singami in Imphal West on Thursday evening.
Hundreds of demonstrators earlier joined the torch relay to demand justice for the two. After marching for about seven kilometres, security forces blocked the march at the Singami crossing, about 600 meters from Singh’s private residence. A confrontation occurred when some demonstrators tried to continue the march, chanting slogans such as “Justice for minors” and “Arrest the perpetrators.”
Security forces fired tear gas and fake bombs to control the demonstrators, who responded by throwing stones and slingshots. The clash continued until about one o’clock in the morning on Friday. A similar protest was held in Imphal East district.
On April 7, the killing of the five-year-old boy and his six-month-old sister sparked protests. Three people were killed after security forces allegedly opened fire on a crowd of people who stormed a paramilitary camp in Bishnupur. The mob was protesting the killing of the two.
Manipur Home Minister Govindas Kunthojam said the Trunglupi case has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency. He added that five suspected cadres of the outlawed Kuki National Army, a secret group affiliated with Kuki, were arrested over the attack.
Tensions have since continued in the Meitei-dominated Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal and Kakching districts. A curfew remains in effect from 5pm to 5am in five regions.
Ethnic violence in Manipur has claimed at least 260 lives and displaced about 60,000 people since May 2023. It first began among the Meitei and Kuki communities and has since involved almost all groups. The Meitei, who are mostly Hindus, live largely in the plains of the Imphal Valley, while the Kuki people, who are mostly Christians, live in the hills. The Métis and Kukis withdrew to their strongholds after the ethnic violence began.
