The children, a five-year-old boy and his five-month-old sister, were killed in what is suspected to be a militant attack at around 1:00 AM while they were asleep in the home of a BSF jawan. Their mother was injured and is receiving treatment.

Gandhi expressed his concern on X, stating: “The news of the murder of two tiny children sleeping in the home of a BSF jawan in Manipur is heart-wrenching. In Manipur, even three years later, innocent children are still burning in the smoldering fire of violence–no sign of peace is visible anywhere near. The Modi government has become so desensitized and stone-hearted that it seems to have forgotten that Manipur’s children are also the nation’s children, our future. When will this government wake up? Until when will Manipur keep counting the bodies of its own and waiting?”

The Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition emphasised that peace is essential to unite all communities. He added, “I have repeatedly said that peace is the only way. Only by bringing all communities together, with sensitivity, can a permanent solution to this crisis be found. Prime Minister ji, Manipur is not just a state–it is a responsibility. A mere statement in name is not enough, a mere showy visit is not enough. You will have to take concrete and immediate steps–before the situation spirals completely out of control.”

Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh announced that the state government has handed the investigation of the bomb attack, which resulted in the death of the two children, to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Speaking at a press conference at his official residence, the Chief Minister condemned the attack in the strongest terms and suggested the incident was orchestrated by individuals or groups seeking to disturb the prevailing peace in the state.

He stated that the investigation handover followed detailed discussions with the Home Minister and other MLAs. At this stage, the perpetrators have not been identified. A large-scale combing operation is underway involving combined security forces including the State Police, Assam Rifles, and CRPF, supported by helicopter units. The Chief Minister assured that the culprits will be apprehended as soon as possible.

Earlier the same day, internet services were suspended for three days starting at 2:00 PM in five districts of Manipur-Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur-in response to the violent incident in the Tronglaobi Awang Leikai area.