Manipur: One month on, demands for justice grow over Tronglaobi children's deaths

Fresh protests broke out at Sagolband in Imphal as residents demanded justice for two young siblings killed in the Tronglaobi bomb attack in Manipur’s Bishnupur district last month.

 

Demonstrators condemned the April 7 incident, in which suspected militants allegedly hurled a bomb at a house in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai in Moirang around 1 am. The attack killed a five-year-old boy and his six-month-old sister while leaving their mother injured as the family slept inside the house.

 

People gathered at Sagolband carrying placards and raising slogans against the attack, calling for strict action against those responsible. Protesters described the killings as a “heinous” act and urged authorities to ensure justice for the victims’ family.

 

The protests came days after the bodies of the two children were finally taken from the mortuary of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal on May 2, nearly 25 days after the blast. Their bodies had remained at the mortuary since the day of the attack, drawing widespread public grief across the state.

 

Family members, relatives and villagers assembled at the mortuary before taking part in a funeral procession attended by large numbers of locals. The final rites were later performed at Lamthaboong in Phougakchao Ikhai area of Bishnupur district amid scenes of mourning.

 

Public anger over the killings has continued to grow since the attack. Earlier protests were also held in Keishamthong, where demonstrators demanded justice for the two children and called for stronger action against militant violence in the state.

 

During previous demonstrations, protesters raised slogans targeting Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh while accusing “Kuki militants” of being behind the attack.

 

The investigation into the bomb blast has since been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Authorities are yet to announce any arrests in connection with the case.