Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on April 7 said the investigation into the bomb attack in Bishnupur district, which claimed the lives of two children, will be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Speaking at a press conference, the chief minister strongly condemned the incident, calling it a “barbaric act”. He said it appears to be the handiwork of individuals or groups with vested interests trying to disturb the fragile peace in the state. The decision to involve the NIA was taken after discussions with the state home minister and other legislators.
“We believe the attack was carried out by those who want to disrupt peace in Manipur. Security forces have been instructed to catch those responsible at the earliest — even today, if possible,” he said.
The explosion occurred around 1 am in the Moirang Tronglaobi area, where suspected militants hurled a bomb at a house. A five-year-old boy and a six-month-old girl lost their lives in the blast, while their mother was injured. According to police, the victims were asleep when the explosion took place inside the house.
The chief minister said the attackers have not been identified yet and that a large-scale combing operation is currently underway. Security forces, including the state police, Assam Rifles and CRPF, have been deployed in the area, along with aerial surveillance.
Appealing for calm, he urged people not to act out of anger and to cooperate with the authorities as efforts are being made to bring the situation under control.
The incident sparked protests in several parts of the state. In Tronglaobi, angry protesters set fire to two oil tankers and a truck near a petrol pump, burned tyres outside Moirang Police Station, and damaged a temporary police outpost. Similar protests were also reported in parts of Imphal, where roads were blocked and vehicles were stopped.
State Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said that two people were killed and five others injured in firing after a mob allegedly stormed a CRPF camp in Bishnupur amid the unrest. Protesters also torched vehicles and vandalised parts of the camp while demonstrating against the killing of the two children.