Imphal, April 12 (NationPress) Thousands of demonstrators, predominantly women, continued their protest marches in Imphal on Sunday, expressing outrage over the bomb attack that occurred on April 7 in Manipur’s Bishnupur district, resulting in the tragic deaths of two innocent children.

The protest was spearheaded by women-led groups, including Uripok Apunba Lup and Uripok Nupi Apunba Lup, which is a coalition of various local organizations representing the Uripok constituency. The march commenced at Lamboikhongnangkhong and covered approximately 4 kilometers.

During the rally, Uripok Apunba Lup Vice President Khwairakpam Tarunkumar articulated that the demonstration aimed to advocate for the prompt completion of the investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the “appalling killings” of the two minors in Tronglaobi village, Bishnupur district.

She emphasized the necessity for a timely investigation, regular trial proceedings, and severe penalties for those accountable. Students and younger participants joined the protests, holding signs that read “We demand justice.”

The protesters called for decisive action against the culprits and urged for the dismissal of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel allegedly involved in the shootings in the same area, which led to the deaths of three protesters during a mob's attempt to breach a CRPF camp.

Additionally, women from Laipham Khunou conducted a sit-in protest at Sangakpam in Imphal West, demanding decisive actions against those responsible for the attack and urging the government to restore peace and order in the state.

Tarunkumar reiterated the call for justice, advocating for a judicial inquiry into the shooting incident and appropriate measures against any personnel found culpable.

The bomb attack on April 7 involved a powerful explosive, reportedly unleashed by suspected Kuki militants, striking a residence in Tronglaobi village. The explosion resulted in the deaths of a five-year-old boy and his five-month-old sister, both asleep at the time. Their mother suffered injuries, and the explosion caused significant damage to their home.

In the aftermath, around 500 protesters surged towards a nearby CRPF camp at Gelmol, situated just a few hundred meters from Tronglaobi, leading to vandalism, including the burning of security vehicles. In the ensuing clashes, security forces opened fire, resulting in the deaths of three protesters and injuring about 30 others.

In a related update, a delegation from Meira Paibi Lups, a prominent women’s organization, met with Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh to address the bomb attack in Tronglaobi and the subsequent casualties caused by security forces.

In a post on Facebook, the Chief Minister stated, “Today, I convened a meeting with representatives from the Meira Paibi Lups across four Assembly Constituencies at my official residence, during which they submitted a memorandum detailing their concerns.” He assured that the government is taking these issues seriously.

Regarding justice for the victims, the Chief Minister reaffirmed that legal procedures would follow based on the findings of the investigation agencies. He assured that any individual found guilty would face strict legal consequences.

“The state government is unwaveringly committed to delivering justice, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring peace and stability in Manipur,” Singh concluded.