On Tuesday morning, a rocket-propelled shell struck Tronglaobi Awang Leikai village in Manipur’s Bishnupur district, resulting in the tragic deaths of two children. Reports indicate that the shell was fired from approximately 100 meters away from their home, suggesting the possible involvement of “local elements” in the incident. The village is located in a sensitive area along the border between the Meitei-majority valley and the Kuki-Zomi-dominated hills, and the victims belonged to the Meitei community.
Authorities have discovered a live shell and its launcher at the outskirts of the village, which is believed to be the location from which the initial shell was launched. Investigations into the equipment revealed that while the launcher is homemade, the shell is of military quality. This raises suspicions about either a militia or militant group operating in the valley or hills supplying the ammunition and utilizing a local individual to execute the attack.
The early morning assault claimed the lives of a four-year-old boy and his infant sister, who were asleep at the time. The children’s mother, Oinam Binita, sustained serious injuries and is receiving medical attention at a local hospital. Following this incident, a mob attacked a nearby Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp, leading to retaliatory gunfire from security forces. The fatality count rose to three on Wednesday after a 31-year-old man succumbed to injuries sustained from gunfire at RIMS, Imphal. The Imphal valley is currently under a curfew.
According to a member of the security establishment, initial investigations suggest that local elements were involved in the incident, with the shell being launched from close proximity to the village rather than from the hills. Authorities are also questioning residents from a nearby village as part of their inquiry.
The recovered shell is identified as military-grade, which is known to be in the possession of both valley- and hill-based militant groups. Some private militias have reportedly acquired such ammunition following the looting of police armories during the early stages of the violence in Manipur earlier this year. Officials suspect that any of these groups could have supplied the weaponry to a local mercenary who carried out the attack.
Officials believe the motive behind the assault may be to destabilize the recently formed government led by Y Khemchand Singh. The Khemchand administration has been attempting to engage with various communities, fostering a sense of confidence among the populace. However, there are political factions in the valley opposed to his administration, as well as groups in the hills, such as the United Kuki National Army (UKNA), which do not align with key Kuki militant organizations that have entered a ceasefire with the government.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the UKNA denied any involvement in the attack, asserting that they do not target innocent civilians, especially children. Later that evening, Manipur police announced the arrest of three individuals believed to be affiliated with the UKNA, along with the seizure of an AK-47, a pistol with ammunition, and cash.
The case has been transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further examination, as stated by a Home Ministry official. The Chief Minister has emphasized that a significant operation is underway to apprehend those responsible for the attack, instructing security forces to pursue them “dead or alive.”
—With contributions from ENS Guwahati
