A series of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) rocked a village in Manipur's Bishnupur district on Monday, leaving two individuals wounded and sparking allegations of inadequate security surveillance from local residents.
Sequence of Early Morning Explosions
The terrifying incidents began in the early hours at Saiton Nganukon village. According to reports, the first two blasts occurred at 5:30 am, targeting the abandoned home of Salam Mani. The resident had been forced to relocate to a relief camp in Keibul Lamjao following the outbreak of ethnic strife in May 2023.
Merely a few hours later, at 8:45 am, two more IEDs detonated approximately 200 meters away from the initial site. These subsequent explosions resulted in injuries to two villagers.
Casualties and Security Response
The injured have been identified as Soibam Sanatomba (51), a retired CRPF personnel, and Nongthombam Indubala (37). Both sustained splinter injuries and were promptly rushed to a government hospital. Officials have confirmed that their condition is stable and they are out of immediate danger.
Security forces, upon sweeping the area, discovered several unexploded IEDs which were later safely defused and disposed of. This discovery has intensified local anger, with villagers openly criticizing what they perceive as a significant lapse in security patrols and surveillance in the area.
Widespread Protest and Shutdown Call
In response to the attack, several civil society and student organizations have announced a 24-hour statewide total shutdown. The protest shutdown is scheduled to commence from Wednesday midnight, aiming to denounce the violence and the perceived failure of security mechanisms.
The incident underscores the ongoing tensions and security challenges in Manipur, which has been grappling with ethnic conflict for nearly a year. The use of IEDs points to a continued militant threat in certain pockets of the state, raising concerns among the displaced population hoping to return to their homes.
