Tension prevailed in various districts in Manipur after two children were killed and their mother injured in a bomb attack in Bishnupur, forcing the authorities to order suspension of internet and mobile data services, including Broadband, VSATs and VPN, for three days.
The shutdown is applicable to Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur districts in the state.
The home department, in a statement, said, "In view of the prevailing law and order situation in five districts of Manipur - Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur and to stop the spread of disinformation and false rumours ... the government has decided to order temporary suspension of internet services and mobile data services including Broadband, VSATs and VPN services in five districts."
The incident
A bomb was hurled by suspected militants at a house in Moirang Tronglaobi area at 1 am, killing a five-year-old boy and a six-month-old girl—an act that Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh described as "barbaric." The two children and their mother were sleeping in their bedroom when the bomb exploded in the house.
Moirang Tronglaobi is reportedly a hotbed of unrest between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The low-lying Moirang Tronglaobi is located close to hill areas of Churachandpur and has witnessed consistent gun firing at the height of ethnic conflict in 2023 and 2024.
A senior police officer said an explosive device was also recovered in a nearby area of Tronglaobi on Tuesday, reports news agency PTI.
Locals staged a protest on Tuesday morning and torched two oil tankers and a truck near a petrol pump in the area. People also burnt tyres in different parts of Imphal to protest the killing of the two minors. Security forces have been deployed in the area to control the situation.
In a social media post, Manipur Home Minister K. Govindas condemned the attack and said the matter is under active investigation, and all necessary steps are being taken to bring those responsible to justice.
