Manipur bomb blasts: Indefinite curfew imposed in 5 valleys; govt hands over investigation to NIA
Indefinite curfew imposed in 5 valleys of Manipur after two children died in bomb attack
New Delhi: The Manipur government has imposed an indefinite curfew in four valley districts – Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur and Kakchin, after two children were killed in a bomb blast, triggering violent protests and clashes with security forces. The state government also decided to hand over the investigation of the blast to the police National Bureau of Investigation (National Intelligence Service).Magistrates in four districts issued separate orders prohibiting people from moving outside their residences, effective immediately from April 7 until further notice. “The order does not apply to government agencies engaged in the maintenance of law and order, essential emergency and health services,” the notice said.Earlier in the day, the government suspended internet and mobile data services, including broadband, VSAT and VPN, for three days in five valleys in view of the tense law and order situation.announced that the bomb attack case would be handed over to the National Intelligence Agency, Chief Minister of Manipur Yumnam Khemchand Singh said the decision was taken after discussions with state Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh and other MLAs. Condemning the attack, the chief minister said, “This act appears to be the work of individuals or groups with vested interests and has disturbed the prevailing peace in the state.” He added that a massive search operation was underway by joint teams of the state police, Assam Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force, supported by helicopter surveillance. “The culprits will be caught at the earliest,” the chief minister assured.Manipur Home Minister Manmohan Singh described the attackers as “peacebreakers who try to disrupt normal order whenever the situation starts to improve”. He said orders were given to capture the perpetrators of the Trondlaubi bombing “whether alive or dead” at a high-level security meeting chaired by the chief minister. The state has also redeployed commandos in the mountains after a long gap using bulletproof vehicles to enhance security operations, he added.Violence broke out in Bishnupur district earlier on Tuesday when suspected militants hurled bombs at the home of two children, a 5-year-old boy and a 5-month-old girl, in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai area of Bishnupur district around 1:05 am, resulting in the death of the two children in a bomb blast. Their mother was also injured and was taken to hospital for treatment. The explosion triggered widespread protests in the area, with demonstrators blocking the Imphal-Tiding highway and setting several trucks on fire.Angry protesters attacked the central reserve police camp near Gairmore, a few hundred meters from where the bomb exploded, burning vehicles and damaging property. Officials said at least two people were killed and five injured when CRPF personnel opened fire on the mob.Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh appealed for calm, urging people to “not give in to emotions” and cooperate with security operations aimed at restoring peace. He also visited the injured families at the Raj Medicity Hospital in Imphal and announced ex-gratia assistance to the families of the victims.Local MP Thongam Shanti Singh and former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh both condemned the incident. Shanti Singh described it as a “heinous act of violence” and a “terrorist act”, while Biren Singh said he was “deeply pained by the loss of innocent lives”, calling the attack a “horrible act against civilians, especially children”.
