Manipur Tense: Protests Erupt in Imphal After Militant Attack Kills Two
Violence erupts in Manipur as protests hit Imphal following the killing of two villagers by militants. CM chairs urgent security meeting.
Tensions have surged once again in Manipur as violent protests broke out at the Khwairamband Ima market in Imphal. The unrest follows a brutal attack in the Imphal East district, where two villagers were allegedly killed and several others injured by armed militant outfits. The incident has sparked widespread anger, prompting the deployment of heavy security forces to maintain order in the capital.
Chief Minister Intervenes Amid Rising Violence
In response to the tragedy, Manipur Chief Minister Khemchand Yumnam visited Raj Medicity Hospital at North AOC in Imphal to check on the condition of the civilians wounded during the attack at Uyumpok. The Chief Minister expressed his deep condemnation of the violence, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to denounce the killing of innocent civilians by armed miscreants at Nongshum.
To address the deteriorating law and order situation, the Chief Minister chaired a high-level security meeting at the Cabinet Hall of his Secretariat in Babupara. Accompanied by Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam, the CM reviewed the security landscape of the state, specifically focusing on recent tragedies in Thoubal and Imphal East.
Strategic Security Review
The emergency meeting saw the participation of top officials, including:
- Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakur
- Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh
- DGP Mukesh Singh
- Commissioner (Home)
- Senior officers from the Army, Assam Rifles, CRPF, and BSF
During the deliberations, Chief Minister Yumnam issued strict directives to officials to bolster security measures in all vulnerable areas of the state to prevent further escalation.
Clashes in Thoubal: Death and Destruction
The violence is not limited to Imphal. In a separate and volatile incident in the Thoubal district, a musical programme at Cherapur in Khangabok turned into a battlefield. A clash between two communities resulted in the death of one person and left several others injured.
The chaos led to significant property damage, with reports indicating that four houses and shops were set on fire, and at least one vehicle was destroyed. The deceased has been identified as Laishram Rakesh, who reportedly died after being struck by a stone during the clashes at the CYSA Playground.
Justice Demands and Roadblocks
The death of Laishram Rakesh triggered further unrest, with villagers blocking National Highway 2 (NH-2) to demand immediate justice and legal action against the perpetrators. The Chief Minister subsequently met with representatives of the Joint Action Committee against the brutal killing, led by convenor L. Kiran.
"I have assured them that their demands will be looked into and appropriate action will be taken as per law," the Chief Minister stated regarding the memorandum submitted by the committee.
A State Under Strain
Manipur continues to struggle with a cycle of instability. The state has been grappling with severe ethnic violence since May 2023, triggered by a court verdict regarding reservations for the Meitei community, which led to clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo tribal communities. Adding to the complexity, a new conflict erupted in 2026 between the Kuki and Naga communities, leaving the region in a state of fragile peace.