On April 25, 2026, over 20 people were injured in Imphal, Manipur, after security forces used tear gas to disperse thousands of protesters marching towards the residence of Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh. Led by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), the demonstrators demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for an April 7 bomb attack in Bishnupur that killed two children.
While the government maintains that security agencies are working to trace the perpetrators, COCOMI has called for a boycott of the ruling party, citing a failure to protect civilians. Meanwhile, fresh tensions in Ukhrul district and a rally at Kangla Fort highlight the deepening unrest across the state.
Clashes Erupt At The Capital’s Gates
The march began as a peaceful convergence from four directions, aiming to reach the Chief Minister’s bungalow in the Babupara area. However, the situation turned volatile at the Khurai Lamlong area just two kilometres from the residence when security personnel deployed barricades and tear gas to thwart the crowd. Eyewitnesses reported that at least 22 individuals were rushed to hospitals following the skirmish.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, addressing the media after meeting a COCOMI delegation, stated, “Law and order remain sensitive but under control. The government is deeply pained that the bodies of the two children are still in the morgue, and we are working tirelessly with security agencies to ensure justice.”
A Cycle Of Grief And Demands For Accountability
The protest was the culmination of a deadline set by COCOMI following the tragic death of a five-year-old boy and his six-month-old sister in Tronglaobi on April 7. The children’s family has refused to perform last rites until the attackers are apprehended.
Adding to the state’s complexity, the unrest has spread to the Naga-majority Ukhrul district, where two more people were injured on Saturday when a paramilitary vehicle reportedly rammed local barricades. COCOMI and other civil society groups have demanded a judicial probe into central force conduct and the abrogation of peace pacts with militant groups, alleging a “proxy war” that continues to claim innocent lives.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The recurring scenes of violence and the heartbreaking loss of young lives in Manipur are a sobering reminder of the fragile state of peace in the region. While we acknowledge the government’s duty to maintain order, the primary focus must remain on the swift delivery of justice and the protection of the most vulnerable.
True harmony cannot be achieved through tear gas and barricades; it requires genuine empathy, transparent accountability, and a sustained dialogue between the state and its people. We stand with the grieving families and urge all stakeholders to choose the path of non-violence and reconciliation over further escalation.
