Manipur CM visits families of slain firewood collectors, vows state support
Synopsis
Three Meitei firewood collectors ambushed and killed near the Imphal East–Kangpokpi border have set off a wave of protests and a valley-wide shutdown. Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh's personal visit to bereaved families — and his meeting with the Joint Action Committee — signals a government under pressure to deliver justice and restore calm in a state still scarred by ethnic conflict.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh visited Nongshum, Imphal East on 26 October to meet families of three slain Meitei firewood collectors.
Victims identified as Arubam Ronil , Lairenlakpam Inaobi , and Kshetrimayum Sushil , ambushed on 19 October near the Imphal East–Kangpokpi border.
CM assured families of all possible state assistance and met Joint Action Committee (JAC) representatives to hear demands for justice.
Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh confirmed joint Central–state security forces are conducting search operations to arrest the perpetrators.
Protests and a shutdown continue across five Imphal Valley districts — Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday visited the residences of three firewood collectors from the Meitei community who were killed in an ambush, assuring their grieving families of all possible assistance from the state government. The visit came amid widespread protests and a shutdown across the Imphal Valley region, following the 19 October attack near the border of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts.
The Attack and Its Victims
The three victims — Arubam Ronil, Lairenlakpam Inaobi, and Kshetrimayum Sushil — were reportedly ambushed by suspected armed militants while collecting firewood near the Imphal East–Kangpokpi district border on 19 October. According to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Singh travelled to Nongshum in Imphal East District, where he met the bereaved family members and expressed his heartfelt condolences.
CM's Assurances and Meetings
During his visit, Singh assured families that 'the government stands firmly with them and all possible assistance will be provided.' He also met representatives of the Joint Action Committee (JAC), patiently heard their concerns and demands for justice, and pledged that 'all legitimate demands will be looked into with utmost sincerity.'
The Chief Minister was accompanied by MLAs Kh. Ibomcha Singh and Thokchom Lokeshwar Singh during the condolence visits. On his return, Singh visited a private hospital at North AOC, Imphal, where two civilians injured in the same 19 October attack are being treated. He directed hospital authorities to provide the best medical care and wished both patients a full recovery.
Security Operations Under Way
Manipur Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh has confirmed that a joint team of Central and state security forces is conducting ongoing search operations to apprehend all those responsible for the killings. The operation spans the Kangpokpi district area where the attack took place.
Protests and Shutdown Across Imphal Valley
The killings have sparked sustained demonstrations across the Imphal Valley, which comprises five districts — Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching — predominantly inhabited by the Meitei community. Multiple organisations have been staging protests since last week, condemning the killings and demanding the restoration of peace and normalcy in the state. A shutdown has been in force across the region since the incidents came to light.
The visit signals a direct attempt by the state government to contain public anger at a time when Manipur remains on edge following months of ethnic unrest. Whether security forces will produce results in their manhunt is likely to determine the pace at which these protests subside.
Point of View
And symbolic gestures of solidarity have historically not translated into swift accountability. The Joint Action Committee's demands are a pressure valve: if security forces fail to make arrests quickly, the shutdown and protests are likely to deepen. Notably, the attack came near the contested Imphal East–Kangpokpi border, a zone that has repeatedly witnessed such incidents amid the state's prolonged ethnic standoff. Without credible prosecution of those responsible, official assurances risk sounding hollow to a community that has heard them before.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the three firewood collectors killed in Manipur?
The three victims were Arubam Ronil, Lairenlakpam Inaobi, and Kshetrimayum Sushil, all from the Meitei community. They were reportedly ambushed by suspected armed militants near the border of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts on 19 October.
Why is there a shutdown in the Imphal Valley?
A shutdown has been observed across five Imphal Valley districts — Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching — since the killing of the three Meitei firewood collectors came to light. Multiple organisations have been staging protests condemning the killings and demanding peace and justice.
What did Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh promise the victims' families?
The CM assured the families that the government stands firmly with them and that all possible assistance will be provided. He also met Joint Action Committee representatives and pledged that all legitimate demands would be looked into with utmost sincerity.
Are security forces searching for the attackers?
Yes. Manipur Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh confirmed that a joint team of Central and state security forces has been conducting search operations to arrest everyone involved in the 19 October attack. The operation is focused on the Kangpokpi district area.
What is the broader context of the Manipur attack?
The killing of the firewood collectors is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have kept Manipur on edge since ethnic clashes erupted in the state in 2023. The Imphal East–Kangpokpi border area, where the ambush occurred, has been a recurring flashpoint between communities.
