Twin shutdowns choke Manipur as child deaths, convoy attack ignite fury

Large parts of Manipur ground to a halt on April 21 as twin shutdowns called by separate organizations over recent killings crippled normal life across both valley and hill districts, officials said.

Schools, colleges, markets and public transport services remained shut across all five Meitei-majority valley districts, along with Naga-dominated regions of Ukhrul and Senapati. Sit-in protests erupted at several locations across the Imphal valley, including Uripok and Nagaram, as anger spilled onto the streets.

The valley shutdown was spearheaded by the women’s collective Meira Paibis, which launched a five-day protest on April 20 following the April 7 blast in Tronglaobi village of Bishnupur district.

The explosion claimed the lives of a five-year-old boy and his six-month-old sister while they were asleep inside their home. Their mother was also injured, intensifying public grief and outrage.

The tragedy triggered widespread protests, some of which turned violent. In one such confrontation, three people were killed and around 30 others injured when security forces allegedly opened fire after a mob stormed a CRPF camp.

Separate shutdown over convoy ambush

In the hill districts, the United Naga Council enforced a three-day “total shutdown” from April 21 in protest against the April 18 militant attack in Ukhrul district.

Suspected gunmen opened fire on a convoy of civilian vehicles travelling from Imphal near TM Kasom village, killing a retired Army personnel and another civilian.

The attack came just a day after former Chief Minister N Biren Singh visited the Tangkhul Naga-majority district and appealed for peace.

Lawyers seek judicial probe

Amid the spiralling unrest, members of the legal fraternity staged a protest outside the Cheirap Court complex under the banner of the Manipur Bar Association and the High Court Bar Association of Manipur.

Former Manipur Human Rights Commission chairperson Khaidem Mani said lawyers strongly condemned the Bishnupur blast and demanded intensified combing operations to track down those responsible.

He also called for a judicial inquiry into the firing that killed three protesters, arguing that handing the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) alone would not be enough.

The state government has already decided to transfer both cases to the NIA.

Congress attacks govt, demands relief package

The Congress stepped up pressure on the Centre, demanding urgent intervention to restore peace and normalcy.

Inner Manipur MP A Bimol Akoijam said the party’s state unit had submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Governor.

The memorandum sought speedy completion of investigations into the killings, strict action against those involved, restoration of law and order, safe access to homes and essential services, and an economic relief package for the troubled state.

The party also urged dialogue among all stakeholders to break the deadlock.

Akoijam alleged that Manipur has remained trapped in instability for nearly three years and criticized the union government’s response as inadequate.

Violence continues to scare state

Manipur has remained deeply fractured since ethnic violence erupted in May 2023 between Meitei and Kuki communities.

More than 260 people have lost their lives, while thousands have been displaced from their homes.

President’s Rule, imposed in February 2025 after prolonged unrest, was lifted in February 2026, but repeated flashpoints continue to derail fragile efforts to restore peace.