Manipur Clash: 5 Injured as Security Forces Use Tear Gas, Smoke Bombs to Disperse Protesters

Tension gripped Sagolband in Imphal West, Manipur, on Saturday as security forces fired tear gas shells and used smoke bombs to disperse protesters, leaving at least five people injured.

The protest erupted over public anger following the recent Tronglaobi bomb attack, which killed two children and injured their mother. Residents and youth took to the streets, accusing the administration of failing to protect lives and property.

As the gathering swelled and turned volatile, security forces intervened, firing multiple rounds of tear gas to push back the crowd. Thick smoke engulfed parts of the area, sparking panic among locals. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as protesters scattered amid continuous shelling. Several youths were detained during the crackdown.

Heavy security deployment remains in place in and around Sagolband to prevent further escalation, with the situation continuing to stay tense.

What Triggered The Protests?

The unrest follows a deadly explosion in Moirang Tronglaobi in Bishnupur district on April 7. Suspected militants hurled an explosive device into a house, killing a five-year-old boy and a six-month-old girl while they were asleep. Their mother was also injured in the blast.

Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh condemned the attack, calling it a “barbaric act” and assuring strict action against those responsible. He also appealed for unity to counter attempts to disrupt communal harmony.

Protests Escalate Across State

The incident has triggered widespread unrest across Manipur. In Bishnupur, angry protesters torched two oil tankers and a truck near a petrol pump. Reports also indicate that at least two people were killed and five others injured when a mob stormed a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp.

Earlier this week, thousands of people defied prohibitory orders in Imphal West, staging a torch rally that later turned confrontational. Protesters allegedly raised slogans against security forces, while some were reported to have pelted stones.

In response, forces used tear gas and carried out baton charges to disperse the crowds.

Background of Ongoing Tensions

The village where the bomb attack occurred has remained sensitive since ethnic violence broke out between Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups in May 2023. The conflict has so far claimed over 260 lives and displaced thousands, leaving the region on edge.