GUWAHATI: Four individuals, including two young children, lost their lives amid escalating violence in Manipur's Imphal Valley on April 7, 2026. The tragic incident unfolded around 1 a.m. when suspected extremists launched a bomb attack on a residence in the Moirang Tronglaobi area of Bishnupur district, resulting in the deaths of a five-year-old boy and a six-month-old girl, while their mother suffered injuries. This incident occurred in a region characterized by ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities, exacerbating an already volatile situation.

In the wake of the attack, widespread protests erupted, leading to a mob assault on a Central Reserve Police Force camp situated a short distance away. Reports indicated that during the ensuing chaos, five people sustained bullet injuries due to retaliatory fire from security forces, with two subsequently succumbing to their wounds. Protesters set fire to vehicles including two oil tankers and a police outpost, highlighting the rising anger among the local populace.

In response to the situation, Manipur's Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas declared a state of emergency, implementing restrictions on public movement and suspending mobile internet services across five districts in the valley for three days. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh condemned the bomb attack as a “barbaric act” and announced the transfer of the investigation to the National Investigation Agency, emphasizing the need to identify those responsible swiftly.

“The perpetrators are yet to be identified, but they will be caught at the earliest,” assured Singh. He called for calm among citizens and urged cooperation with security measures currently being employed, including extensive combing operations by the state police and other armed forces. Additionally, concerns escalated with reports of a minor internally displaced girl dying in a relief camp, prompting the Chief Minister to extend condolences and announce financial assistance to affected families.

The ongoing unrest in Manipur poses significant challenges to the state's stability, and officials are working tirelessly to restore peace while navigating the delicate socio-political landscape.