2 injured as multiple IED blasts rock Manipur; forces face public anger

Imphal: Tensions flared in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Monday morning after multiple improvised explosive device (IED) blasts injured two persons, including a retired CRPF personnel and a woman, at Saiton Nganukon village.According to locals, the first two IEDs, allegedly planted by suspected Kuki militants, exploded at around 5:30 am at the abandoned residence of Salam Mani, who has been living in a relief camp at Keibul Lamjao since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023. The house, one of the few left standing after nine Meitei-owned homes were burned during last year’s unrest, has remained unoccupied.At around 8:45am, two more IEDs went off, injuring Soibam Sanatomba (51), a retired CRPF personnel, and Nongthombam Indubala (37). Both sustained splinter injuries and were admitted to a govt hospital, where they are reported to be out of danger.Sources said unexploded IEDs were also discovered in the area and later disposed of. This was the second such incident in less than three weeks — on Dec 16, nearby Torbung village came under attack amid resettlement efforts for internally displaced persons (IDPs).Following Monday’s explosions, irate locals clashed with security forces, accusing them of failing to protect lives and property despite heavy deployment in the region. Protesters dismantled a makeshift bunker belonging to central forces. Security has since been tightened, with forces stepping up vigilance to prevent further escalation.Political and civil society reactions were swift. BJP condemned the blasts, demanding the arrest of those responsible and pledging support to affected families. “Justice will prevail. Manipur stands united,” the party said in a statement.Local MLA Premchandra Singh said the people of Manipur want peace.“Anyone engaging in acts detrimental to others will eventually get appropriate actions as per the law,” he said.Several organisations, including the Indigenous People Organisation and the All Manipur Students’ Union, announced a 24-hour statewide shutdown beginning Wednesday midnight to protest the incident.Meanwhile, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) strongly condemned the attack, calling it a “deliberate act of terror against unarmed civilians” and a grave violation of human rights and constitutional guarantees.Holding the state administration and the security apparatus squarely responsible for their failure to discharge their constitutional duty to protect civilian lives, COCOMI said, “The continued inability or unwillingness to identify, apprehend, and prosecute the perpetrators reflects a disturbing normalisation of terror violence against civilians.”The group demanded a transparent, time-bound investigation and accountability not only of perpetrators but also of officials whose lapses enabled such violence.(With PTI inputs)