Internet services were suspended across five valley districts of Manipur for three days amid law and order concerns following a deadly bomb attack that killed two children.
Security personnel in Manipur (Photo: PTI)
At least two people were killed and five others injured after an angry mob stormed a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Manipur’s Bishnupur district, triggering firing by security personnel, state authorities said on Tuesday.
Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said the incident occurred after protests erupted over the killing of two children in a bomb attack earlier in the day.
According to him, a large group of youths and women gathered to protest the attack in the Moirang Tronglaobi area.
The protesters later moved towards the CRPF camp near Gelmol, located a few hundred metres from the bomb attack site, where they allegedly set vehicles on fire and vandalised camp property.
“I appealed to the protesters not to enter the CRPF camp and to allow the security forces to carry out operations to apprehend those responsible for the bomb attack,” Konthoujam said. “However, the demonstrators did not heed the appeal.”
He said the situation escalated when the mob breached the camp perimeter, forcing security personnel to open fire.
“The firing took place either in self-defence or in anger. Unfortunately, two persons lost their lives and five others sustained bullet injuries,” the minister added.
Internet Suspended
In the aftermath of the violence, the Government of Manipur ordered the suspension of internet and mobile data services across five valley districts, Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur, for three days beginning 2 pm on April 7.
The Home Department said the decision was taken amid apprehensions that anti-social elements could misuse social media platforms to circulate inflammatory content, including hate speech, images and videos, which could further inflame tensions and disrupt public order.
The suspension applies to all forms of internet services, including broadband, mobile data, VSATs and VPNs.
Authorities said the measure was preventive in nature and issued in public interest in view of the emergent law and order situation.
The order warned of legal action against violations, while noting that exemptions may be granted in specific cases with approval.
Bomb Attack That Sparked Protests
The unrest followed a deadly bomb attack in Bishnupur district that killed two children and injured their mother. According to a senior police officer quoted by news agency PTI, suspected militants hurled an explosive device at a house in Moirang Tronglaobi around 1 am.
The victims, a five-year-old boy and a six-month-old girl, were sleeping with their mother when the bomb detonated inside their bedroom.
Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh condemned the incident, calling it a “barbaric act,” and assured that those responsible would be identified and brought to justice.
“I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. Let there be no doubt, those responsible will be identified, hunted down, and dealt with firmly under the law. Such acts of terror will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” the Chief Minister said.
Calling the attack “an outright assault on humanity and a direct attempt to derail the hard-earned peace in Manipur,” the Chief Minister asserted that the state government remains committed to ensuring peace, order, and stability.
He also urged people to remain united against those attempting to disturb communal harmony.
Following the incident, locals staged protests in the area, torching two oil tankers and a truck near a petrol pump.
Protesters also burnt tyres outside the Moirang Police Station and damaged a makeshift police outpost, police said.
Security forces were deployed to bring the situation under control.
Police also recovered an explosive device from a nearby area on Tuesday, another senior officer said.
More than 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced in ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023.
April 07, 2026, 15:07 IST
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