Two vehicles torched, 18 Injured
Fresh unrest broke out in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Tuesday afternoon after protesters intercepted three vehicles carrying unidentified armed men along the Tiddim Road near Thinungei. The incident escalated into violent clashes, resulting in the torching of two vehicles and injuries to at least 18 people, including five women.
According to reports, the confrontation began around 1:30 pm when women protesters stopped three vehicles—a Bolero, a Verna, and a Swift—on suspicion that the occupants were carrying arms. Upon questioning, the men claimed to be personnel of the Assam Rifles but allegedly failed to produce valid identification or documents. This led to a heated argument, during which some of the occupants attempted to flee. Protesters managed to detain five individuals while others escaped, with one vehicle driving away.
Tensions escalated further when security forces arrived and took custody of the detained men. Angered by this, protesters set fire to two of the vehicles. Allegations were raised that the armed men could be suspected militants, though this could not be confirmed before security forces whisked them away.
Soon after, Bishnupur police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel attempted to disperse the crowd, sparking clashes along several points of the Tiddim Road, including Ningthoukhong, Nambol, and near Bishnupur district headquarters. Security forces resorted to tear gas shells, mock bombs, and in some cases live rounds to control the situation. At least 18 protesters were injured and rushed to nearby healthcare centres, though the number of casualties is expected to rise as confrontations continued late into the evening.
In response to the violence, the district administration reimposed an indefinite curfew across Bishnupur district from 5 pm onwards, prohibiting all movement until further orders. The curfew had earlier been relaxed for 12 hours on Tuesday following a week of restrictions in five valley districts—Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, and Kakching—imposed after the killing of two children in a suspected RPG attack at Trongloabi on April 7. Internet services in these districts also remain suspended, with the ban extended until April 16.
Police clarification: Rumours behind agitation, four arrested
Later in the day, Manipur police issued a statement clarifying that the individuals intercepted by protesters were indeed security personnel on duty. The police alleged that “mischievous and unverified rumours” regarding their identity and purpose had triggered the unrest.
The statement linked the movement of the security team to a follow-up operation connected to a major drug seizure earlier in the day. Around 10:30 am, a joint team of CISF and airport police arrested one suspected drug peddler, Md Sabir Ahamed of Kwakta Khuman Thongkhong, at Tulihal Airport, Imphal. His checked-in baggage was found to contain 6.74 kg of suspected brown sugar concealed inside six containers. The accused was handed over to Singjamei police station, where a case was registered.
During interrogation, Ahamed reportedly revealed information about a concealed cache of arms and ammunition in Kwakta area of Bishnupur district. Acting on this input, security forces moved towards the area, leading to the Thinungei incident.
Police said the mob obstructed the vehicles of the security team, damaged and set fire to two of them, and attempted to detain personnel. Additional forces were mobilised, and the crowd was dispersed using “minimum necessary force,” including tear smoke. Injured civilians were provided medical assistance.
Four protesters have been arrested in connection with the violence, and efforts are underway to identify others involved in arson, unlawful assembly, and obstruction of security forces. A flag march was conducted in the area to restore order.
The police strongly appealed to the public not to spread rumours or misinformation and urged cooperation with law enforcement agencies to maintain peace.