Manipur is on the edge once again following the tragic death of two children in a bomb blast in Bishnupur. On Wednesday, massive protests broke out across the valley, bringing normal life to a grinding halt.
Schools, colleges, markets, and offices remained shut as a heavy blanket of curfew turned the streets desolate.
Leading the charge, the civil society group ‘COCOMI’ organized a massive protest march in Imphal, demanding the immediate resignation of CM Y. Khemchand Singh and Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam. Clashes erupted when police used tear gas to stop protesters from breaching the curfew. The situation turned grimmer as protesters alleged that three youths were killed in firing near a CRPF camp, sparking widespread outrage in Kakching and Thoubal districts as well.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Chief Minister convened an emergency meeting of the 'Unified Command' at the State Secretariat. Top officials from the Army, paramilitary forces, and police reviewed the security grid to prevent further flare-ups. A strict curfew remains in place across Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Kakching, and Thoubal, with a massive deployment of security forces to maintain law and order.