Thousands march to CM bungalow, clash wth SFs; dozens injured
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 25 2026: The situation in Imphal escalated this afternoon as security forces clashed with protesters at multiple locations, leaving dozens injured.

Security forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells and mock bombs in an attempt to control protesters who had gathered from various directions and marched towards the Chief Minister's residence under the banner of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) .

A team of COCOMI members, led by its convenor YK Dhiren, also marched towards the CM's bungalow from their office at Lamphelpat.

They were joined by several women vendors from Nagamapal, Uripok, and Khwairamband Keithel, who proceeded to BT Road, raising slogans.

However, they were halted by a heavy security presence and iron barricades at the Kangla Western Gate, where the protesters began chanting slogans.

An agreement was eventually reached between the security forces and the protesters, allowing a delegation of COCOMI members and women volunteers to submit their memorandum to the Chief Minister's Secretariat.

The seven questions listed in the memorandum were:

1. Won't the State Government boldly urge the Centre to stop its 'proxy war'?
2. Won't the Government take action to wipe out Kuki narco-terrorism from Manipur?
3. Won't the Government deliver justice for the terror attack at Tronglaobi and the ambush near TM Kasom?
4. Won't the Government initiate a judicial inquiry into the CRPF's firing on protesters that killed three individuals?
5. Won't the Government take swift action to resettle internally displaced people?
6. Won't the Government abrogate the Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact?
7. Won't the Government update the NRC to deport illegal immigrants?

After submitting the memorandum, the COCOMI team left the site, stating they would wait for the Government's response for a day or two, but the protest would continue.

Even after the COCOMI team's departure, groups of protesters continued to march towards the Kangla Western Gate, expressing disappointment with COCOMI for leaving the protest site.

Some protesters accused COCOMI of betraying the people.

Chief Minister Y Khem-chand, however, met with representatives of various groups of protesters at his bungalow throughout the afternoon.

The meetings were attended by Ministers and ruling MLAs.

Later, police used loudspeakers to urge protesters gathered near Gambhir Singh Shopping Complex to disperse and return to their homes.

While some complied, others threw stones and fired slingshots at security personnel.

In response, security forces fired tear gas shells, pushing protesters back to Sagolband Meino Leirak.

RIMS Crossing, and Kasturi Bridge.

The confrontations continued, with tear gas shelling and the use of mock bombs throughout the evening as protesters regrouped and clashed with security forces in several areas, including Uripok-Kanchup Road, Sagolband, Nagamapal, and Wahengbam Leikai among others.

A large number of men and women marching towards the CM's bungalow from Khurai, Lamlai, Khungdrakpam, and several areas of Wangkhei via Imphal-Pangei Road, Imphal-Ukhrul Road, Porompat-Ayangpali Road, and Tinsid Road were stopped by security forces at Lamlong Keithel.

As security forces attempted to take some representatives to the CM's bungalow, protesters tried to breach the security barricades, prompting security forces to fire tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse the crowd.

The protesters also pelted stones and launched slingshots at the security forces.

After being dispersed, some women marched back towards Lamlong Keithel, stating they would not resort to violence but still wished to meet the Chief Minister.

Eventually, a few women were taken to the CM's bungalow by police.

During this time, several men gathered at Lamlong Keithel, burning tires and throwing stones at security personnel.

Security forces responded by firing more tear gas shells to disperse the agitators.

Condemning the recent terror attacks that killed two siblings at Tronglaobi, protesters from Khongman, Bashikhong, Kongba Ucheckon, Keirao, Irilbung, Bamon Kampu, Kongba, Top Khongnangkhong, Kongpal, Soibam Leikai, and other areas marched towards the CM's bungalow but were stopped by layers of security personnel at Konung Mamang.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as "We condemn Tronglaobi terror attack", "Take action against Kuki narco-terrorists who don't spare even children", "Stop proxy war", and "Penalize CRPF personnel who fired on protesters".

Speaking to the media at Konung Mamang, former COCOMI convenor Jeetendra Ningomba stated that their march was not against the Government but was meant to submit a memorandum regarding the ambush near TM Kasom and the bomb attack at Tronglaobi.

However, at around 4 pm, some miscreants among the protesters threw stones and fired slingshots at security personnel, prompting security forces to respond with tear gas shells and mock bombs.

Meanwhile, another group of protesters coming from Canchipur, Singjamei, and Kakwa was stopped at the Singjamei Chingamakhong Traffic Point.

Some protesters from Singjamei Chingamathak were allowed to continue their march up to Moirangkhom.

A separate group of protesters who had marched from Tiddim Ground to submit a similar memorandum to the Chief Minister was stopped at Keishampat Junction.

Some of their leaders were allowed to submit the memorandum, but when the remaining protesters gathered at the Keishampat Junction traffic point, a few threw stones at security personnel.

In response, the police fired tear gas shells, driving back the crowd up to Kwakeithel on Tiddim Road and Keishamthong on Mayai Lambi.

The situation remained tense as this report was filed.

Comment