6 held after Manipur protest; Khemchand appeals for dialogue

Manipur Police on Sunday arrested six people accused of involvement in violence and disturbances in Greater Imphal. The action came amid intensified security and a day after a massive protest rally had turned volatile, leaving more than 30 protestors injured on April 25.

Police authorities said the accused were allegedly involved in activities that disrupted law and order in parts of the Imphal region.

Meanwhile security measures have been intensified in sensitive areas, and further investigations are underway to identify any wider network or additional individuals linked to the incidents.

On April 25, protestors had undertaken a march, expressing deep concern over the prolonged unrest in the state.

Thousands of people from across the valley had converged with the intent to march towards the Chief Minister’s bungalow and submit a memorandum related to the ongoing conflict.

The protest had initially remained peaceful, with representatives of Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and other groups submitting their memorandum to Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh. However, the situation later escalated, prompting security forces to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.

COCOMI had staged the protest demanding justice for the two children who had been killed in an explosion on April 7 in Tronglaobi, Bishnupur district.

A five-year-old boy and his six-month-old sister were killed in the explosion.

COCOMI also sought rehabilitation of displaced people and permanent peace in the state.

Officials said over 30 protestors sustained injuries, most of them minor, as the rally turned tense. The overall situation in the valley continues to remain volatile.

Later on Saturday, while addressing a press conference, the chief minister urged civil society organisations to resolve issues through dialogue.

Singh stressed that the ongoing unrest has affected all sections of society, especially daily wage earners and students, and called for cooperation between the public and the government to restore peace.

“The government alone cannot bring peace. It requires support and coordination from the people and civil society,” he said.

The chief minister also appealed to the family of the two children killed in the bomb blast at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur district on April 7, to accept their bodies, which have remained in a morgue for more than two weeks.

Family members had earlier said they would not accept the bodies until those responsible for the attack were arrested.

Addressing the press conference after meeting representatives of COCOMI, the chief minister said the government was working closely with security agencies to trace those involved in the attack.

“We are also in talks with the families of the deceased and the Joint Action Committee formed in connection with the incident. The state government is deeply pained that the bodies of the two children are still in the morgue,” Singh said.

The Chief Minister also called for dialogue and cooperation to restore peace in the state, noting that prolonged shutdowns and unrest were affecting daily wage earners, students and normal public life. He described the killing of the children, along with a recent ambush in Ukhrul district in which two civilians were killed, as inhuman acts that had spread fear among residents.