Manipur: Bomb Attack At Ex-CM's Residence In Bishnupur Leaves One Dead

An old-aged-man was killed and five other people were injured after suspected Kuki militants launched a rocket attack at the residence of former Chief Minister Mairembam Koireng in Moirang, Bishnupur district in Manipur on Friday.

According to the officials, the bomb attack took place at around 3:30 pm on Friday. The rocket fell in the compound of the former CM’s residence and claimed the life of an elderly man, RK Rabei Singh, a local resident, who was preparing ritual items at the site for an event scheduled to take place tomorrow.

“The elderly man was preparing for some religious rituals in the compound when the bomb exploded. He died on the spot,” news agency PTI quoted the official as saying.

Five other people— Salam Nanao (40), Galena Mairembam (13), Rajeev Bobo (58), Kongjengbam Jogindro (52), and Ngangom Ibobi (65)—were injured in the bomb attack.

The local MLA, upon receiving information about the incident, arrived at the site to assess the situation. The rocket fell at a spot around two km from the INA headquarters.

Police reached the incident site immediately and initiated a probe.

Earlier in the day, a rocket was fired from an elevated position in the nearby hill areas toward the low-lying residential locality of Tronglaobi, located around 45km from the state capital Imphal. Several attacks were also launched including bombings which led to the demolition of some structures.

On April 14, 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Shaukat Ali of the Indian National Army (INA) hoisted the Tricolor Flag of free India for the first time on Indian soil under the guidance of INA Supreme Commander Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Moirang.

Human Chain Protests in Manipur

Thousands of people across five districts of Imphal Valley on Friday formed human chains to protest the recent drone and gun attacks in Manipur that resulted in two civilian deaths and 12 injuries.

Participants also expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the ongoing conflict in the state.

Organised by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), the rally saw school and college students in uniform, as well as women from various localities, lining up along roadsides in Thoubal Bazar, Lilong Chajing in Thoubal district, and Sekmai, Kwakeithel, Singjamei in Imphal West district raising slogans condemning the recent attacks in Koutruk and Senjam Chirang.

Protesters carried placards with messages such as ‘Drone bombing is an act of terrorism,’ ‘We condemn Manipur government’s timidity,’ ‘Take action against Kuki terrorists,’ ‘Manipur’s territorial and administrative integrity cannot be compromised,’ and ‘We want peace; save Manipur,’ among others.

(With inputs from agencies)