Triple IED blasts rock abandoned village in Manipur

Multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) blasts rocked an abandoned village in the fringe of Manipur’s Bishnupur district adjoining Churachandpur district on Monday, injuring at least two people including a woman.
The series of blasts at an abandoned kutcha house at Nganukon village under Phougakchao Ikhai police station early Monday morning triggered fresh tension in strife-torn Manipur with many CSOs calling a 24-hour statewide shutdown tomorrow (Tuesday).
At least three IEDs were set off between 5.45 am and 8.45 am with the first and second blasts at the abandoned house of Salam Mani Singh (70).
The third explosion occurred at a roadside around 200 metres from the initial blast site around 8.45 am, when locals went to the village to inspect the explosion,during which two persons, including a woman, were injured.
After being displaced following the violent crisis on May 3, 2023, the family of Mani is currently sheltered at a relief camp at Keibul Lamjao.
The injured woman was identified as Nongthongbam Indubala Devi (37) wife of late N Bishworjit Singh of Saiton Haiyaikon Maning Leikai, while the injured man as Soibam Sanatomba Singh (52) son of late S Angoubi Singh of Saiton Makha Leikai. Both the injured were IDPs.
Both sustained splinter injuries on their right legs and were admitted to Bishnupur district hospital and are out of danger, according to a hospital source.
No sooner the two consecutive explosions rocked the abandoned village, a strong team of police rushed to the spot and conducted a spot inspection and forensic experts were also called out.
During spot examination, a blast crater was found inside the house, along with blackening and splinter marks on the inner walls and floor, indicating the explosion of an improvised explosive device, a police source said.
The structure was found partially damaged and no casualty or injury was reported, as the house was unoccupied at the time of explosion.
The area was secured and necessary preventive measures taken, the police said.
While the police were conducting the spot examination, a large number of villagers mostly, displaced folks of the Saiton area, also rushed to the spot.
Meanwhile, irate locals confronted security forces who prevented them from accessing explosions despite the presence of Central security forces in nearby areas.
The locals also dismantled a makeshift security bunker at a nearby area before intervention by the police.
The villagers suspected Kuki militants behind the planting and triggering of the blast and alleged that the security forces allowed them free movement in the area even though no member from the Meitei community were allowed to enter the site.
Meanwhile, amid the pouring in of condemnations against the blasts, as many as eight CSOs and student bodies based in the valley area have called for a total shutdown in protest against alleged security lapses.
In a joint statement, the bodies denounced the recent incidents of bomb blasts, stating that such acts have created fear and insecurity among the general public.
They demanded immediate and effective measures from the authorities to restore peace, ensure the safety of civilians, and bring those responsible for the violent acts to justice.
They also appealed to the public to cooperate with the shutdown starting from intervening night of Monday and Tuesday as a mark of protest against violence and instability.
Essential services will be exempted from the purview of the shutdown, it said.
On the other hand, joining the condemnation chorus, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) demanded immediate, transparent, and time-bound investigation into the twin bomb attacks and public disclosure of investigation findings, including accountability of both the perpetrators and officials whose acts of commission or omission enabled such attacks.
The COCOMI, in a statement, said “This deliberate act of terror against unarmed civilians constitutes a grave violation of fundamental human rights, constitutional guarantees, and the rule of law.”
“The targeting of a civilian household under the cover of darkness reflects a dangerous and recurring pattern of impunity enjoyed by armed narco-terrorist perpetrators operating freely in the region,” it added.
It alleged that “Despite prolonged militarization and repeated assurances of control, armed groups continue to execute terror attacks on civilians with impunity raising serious concerns of institutional failure and possible security complicity through omission, negligence, or willful inaction.”
Holding the state administration and the security apparatus squarely responsible for their failure to discharge their constitutional duty to protect civilian lives, the COCOMI said “the continued inability or unwillingness to identify, apprehend, and prosecute the perpetrators reflects a disturbing normalisation of terror violence against civilians.”
“The people of Manipur cannot be expected to live under constant fear while the state functions as a mute spectator,” the statement signed by COCOMI IPR convener Laikhuram Jayenta asserted.