Imphal, April 7 (NationPress) Manipur's Chief Minister, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, declared on Tuesday that those accountable for the deaths of two children in Bishnupur district will be swiftly identified and face strict legal repercussions.

An official from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) reported that Singh visited a private hospital in Imphal to evaluate the condition of an injured woman whose five-year-old son and five-month-old daughter tragically lost their lives in a bomb attack allegedly executed by suspected Kuki militants in the district.

The Chief Minister shared on social media platform X: “I visited Raj Medicity this morning to check on the mother who sadly lost her two children in last night’s appalling attack at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai, Moirang.”

He emphasized that he has instructed officials to provide the highest standard of medical assistance and complete support for the injured mother. “This atrocious act is an affront to humanity and a calculated attempt to disrupt the peace that Manipur has painstakingly achieved. I firmly condemn it. Rest assured, those responsible will be identified and dealt with under the law. Such acts of terrorism will not be tolerated,” he asserted.

CM Singh reiterated, “Our administration is steadfast in protecting every citizen. I urge everyone to unite and resist forces that threaten our shared harmony.”

The Chief Minister strongly denounced the “cowardly bomb attack” in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai on Tuesday morning, which resulted in the tragic deaths of a five-year-old boy and his five-month-old sister, leaving their mother injured. He assured that the government would pursue the individuals responsible for this heinous act and ensure swift justice, as stated by the CMO.

CM Singh also noted that whenever the government makes efforts to restore peace and stability, sporadic violence tends to arise. He remarked that certain vested interests appear to be attempting to sabotage the ongoing peace process at a time when the state is gradually returning to normalcy.

He expressed concern that the recent violence could be targeted at undermining the two-month-old government established by the Centre following nearly a year of President’s Rule.

In a call for calm, CM Singh appealed to individuals from all communities, ethnic backgrounds, and religions to reject violence. He urged the public to avoid actions like bandhs, blockades, and vandalism of public property, warning that such behaviors would only exacerbate the difficulties faced by the populace.

In the attack, at least two children were killed, and their mother sustained injuries following a bomb blast allegedly orchestrated by suspected Kuki militants. According to a police official in Imphal, a powerful bomb was detonated at a residence in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai village around 1 a.m., resulting in the immediate fatalities of a five-year-old boy and a five-month-old girl, while their mother, who was also at home, was injured. All three were reportedly asleep when the explosion occurred, causing significant damage to parts of the residence.

The village of Tronglaobi Awang Leikai is situated near the mountainous Churachandpur district, predominantly inhabited by Kuki-Zo communities. The region has experienced repeated gunfire incidents during the height of ethnic violence in 2023 and 2024 and is considered vulnerable due to its proximity to hill positions reportedly held by armed Kuki militant factions.

Following the blast, enraged residents blockaded roads and set fire to three trucks transporting goods to Churachandpur district, further intensifying regional tensions. The atmosphere in Bishnupur and surrounding valley districts remains highly charged.

A substantial contingent of security forces, led by senior police officials, has been deployed in the area, and combing operations have commenced to apprehend those responsible for the attack.

Additionally, local BJP MLA Shanti Singh strongly denounced the “brutal attack” in Moirang Tronglaobi village, alleging the involvement of “Kuki narco-terrorists.”

“This abhorrent act is nothing short of terrorism. Such inhumane actions are unacceptable in our society and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” he declared.