Many decry terrorist bombing of toddlers, CRPF firing in Tronglaobi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 09 2026: A wave of outrage has swept through Manipur's political and community circles following a horrific bomb attack on a family home in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai, Bishnupur district, that claimed the lives of two innocent toddlers and left their mother fighting for her life.

The tragedy, compounded by alleged CRPF firing on subsequent protesters - resulting in additional civilian deaths - has drawn strong condemnations from multiple organisations, who are demanding swift justice, accountability, and an end to the State's protracted ethnic violence.

Many decry terrorist bombing of toddlers, CRPF firing in Tronglaobi

The predawn assault struck around 1 am on April 7, 2026, in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai under Moirang Police Station jurisdiction.

The victims were five-month-old Oinam Yaisana and her five-year-old brother Oinam Tomthin, killed mercilessly in their sleep, while their mother, Oinam Ongbi Binita Devi (35), sustained critical injuries.

Outrage from Political Parties and Communities

The National People's Party (NPP) Manipur State Unit led the chorus of condemnation, calling the attack "utterly unacceptable" and deserving of the "strongest possible condemnation" .

In a statement, the NPP highlighted the bombing's targeting of civilians inside their homes and expressed deep concern over reported CRPF firing in the same Tronglaobi area, which allegedly caused further casualties.

"The use of excessive force against unarmed civilians is deeply disturbing", the party stated, appealing to Central and State agencies to exercise maximum restraint in the extremely sensitive and volatile situation.

The NPP also condemned the April 6 firings toward Sinakeithel village in Ukhrul district as "coordinated assaults on villages...nothing less than acts of war against peaceful residents", posing a "serious threat to the lives and safety of civilians" .

Reiterating solidarity with bereaved families, the NPP pledged its commitment to justice, peace, and the protection of innocent lives.

The Janata Party, Manipur State Unit echoed the sentiment, attributing the bombing to Kuki groups under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement.

Expressing deep sorrow and solidarity with the grieving family, the party outlined how public protests-sparked by grief and fury-escalated when CRPF allegedly opened fire, leading to three deaths and numerous injuries.

The party urged the Central BJP Government and the State Government to take immediate and decisive action to prevent further such incidents.

Policy-wise, the Janata Party proposed halting census work until the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is implemented, arguing it would address demographic anxieties fueling the conflict.

Highlighting the conflict's toll- over three years since May 3, 2023, with thousands displaced into relief camps-the Janata Party demanded explanations for delays in resolution.

Local communities joined the fray with raw emotion.

Residents of Telipatti, alongside the Teli community and Veishya Youth Club, vehemently condemned the "terrorist attack", deeming such "barbaric acts of violence against innocent people...inhumane and having no place in civilized society" .

The All Manipur Teli Association (AMTA), amplifying the Teli community's voice through a powerful open letter to the Government of India, state authorities, and "the Nation's conscience", expressed profound grief and anguish over the brutal and inhuman killing of two innocent children.

Stressing that no political, social, or ideological justification can ever excuse the taking of innocent lives, especially those of children, it called the act "a direct assault on humanity itself' .

The AMTA demanded a swift, transparent, and impartial investigation with prosecution of all responsible, warning that "justice delayed is justice denied".

It also urged concrete and sustained measures like strengthened security, community dialogue, and tackling unrest's root causes, positioning the tragedy as a "turning point for decisive action and accountability" while standing in solidarity with the families.

The Zeliangrong United Committee Manipur has also condemned the killing of two children in a bomb attack at Tronglaobi and called on the Government to punish the perpetrators.

Speaking to reporters at his house at Dewlahland today, the committee's president Maibon Phaomei expressed serious concern that violence has not Ceased since it first started more than two years ago, and said the Government of India was responsible for the deteriorating situation because it didn't take the Manipur crisis seriously.

It said the Government must reign in SoO Kuki militant and take decisive actions against those who have harmed civilians.

The Government and its agencies must crackdown on terrorism.

All involved in the killing of the two children must be arrested and punished, Phaomei said.

Labor and Front Groups Demand Action

The All Manipur PHED Workers and Employee Association mourned Oinam Yaisana and Oinam Tomthin while condemning the subsequent protest deaths - Huidrom Henry of Tera Loukham Leirak, Laishram Jiten of Torbung (Moirang College Relief Camp), and Wahengbam Boby of Kumbi Terakhong.

Attributing both incidents to "Kuki Terrorists", the association shared the grief of the bereaved families, prayed for the injured, and urged the State Government for strong measures to prevent further acts of terrorism and ensure a peaceful and stable environment.

The Manipur Peoples' Democratic Front (MPDF) similarly blamed "Kuki Terrorists" for the bombing and questioned why these armed groups haven't been designated as terrorists despite their alleged involvement in repeated attacks on innocent civilians, including infants.

The MPDF also accused Governments of failing to protect fundamental rights, bringing "dishonor to the Constitution", and called for immediate and appropriate action.

The Langol Lukhoi Thang-Ta Sindam Sang (LLTTSS) also strongly condemned the killing of two children in Tronglongbi, blaming Kuki militants and calling it "clear terrorism".

The group demanded justice and criticized the CRPF's excessive firing that killed three civilians during protests.

The group also expressed dissatisfaction with an alleged policy of "using Kuki militants as a tool to incite communal violence under the cover of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement", claiming it involves "innocent Kuki villagers in counterinsurgency operations".

The LLTTSS also announced plans to file an application with the Chief Justice of the Manipur High Court, seeking action under the Foreign Jurisdiction Act 1947 .

Broader Context and Calls for Peace

These condemnations come amid Manipur's ethnic strife, fueled by tensions between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since 2023, which has led to over 200 deaths, widespread displacement, and strained security operations like the SoO with insurgent groups.

Organisations across the spectrum reiterated solidarity with victims' families and pressed for investigations, restraint, and structural reforms to halt the cycle of violence.