Protesters block CM's route, clash with security forces
Copter ride taken to open Wangjing-Tentha BD Block
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, April 21 2026 : With large groups of protesters blocking his way at different points in Thoubal district, Chief Minister Y Khemchand flew in a helicopter from an Assam Rifles' post located at Khongjom Phundrei to Wangjing Tekcham Leikai to inaugurate a Block Development Office of Wangjing-Tentha CD Block today.

On the other hand, as security forces struggled to disperse the protesters and open the Chief Minister's way, a protester suffered a bullet injury.

Notably, Meira Paibi organisations of Thoubal district made an announcement earlier prohibiting the Chief Minister from visiting Wangjing.

Protesters block CM's route, clash with security forces

In line with the prior announcement, large groups of protesters including Meira Paibis and youth blocked roads at Thoubal Haokha, Kiyam, Babu Bazar, Thoubal Mela Ground, Yairipok Lamkhai, Khangabok, Wangjing, Samaram and Khongjom Keithel.

As the roads leading to Wangjing were completely blocked by the protesters, the Chief Minister flew in a helicopter from Khongjom Phundrei to Wangjing Tekcham Leikai.

In addition to blocking the roads, large groups of protesters, marching over paddy fields from different directions, tried to stop the inauguration function even before Khemchand reached there.

In their efforts to keep the protesters from disrupting or stopping the inauguration function, security forces fired innumerable number of tear gas shells as well as live bullets.

The Chief Minister arrived at the inauguration function at around 3 pm only after the protesters were driven back some distance away from the venue of the official function.

In the process of pushing back the protesters, police fired many tear gas shells as well as live bullets and a protester identified as Elangbam Nandabir (Bye) (37) s/o E Khoibi Singh of Heirok Part 2 Bazar Maning, Ward No 9 sustained bullet injury on the side of his abdomen.

After giving first aid at District Hospital, Thoubal, he was referred to Raj Medicity.

Another protester was also hit by a tear gas shell on the leg at Khongjom Bazar.

The injured protester identified as Naoba Sapam (20) of Khongjom Sapam has been admitted in District Hospital, Thoubal.

He is said to be out of danger.

One Laishram (Ningol) Roshni of Samaram too sustained injury in the police action.

Speaking at the inauguration function, the Chief Minister said that while he faces no hurdles in travelling to hill districts, he was surprised to see opposition to his visit in Thoubal district of the valley.

"I recently visited many hill districts and there was no opposition to my visit there.

But, I am surprised by the protest in Thoubal district against my visit," he said.

He continued that any differences can be sorted out by sitting together.

All solutions come after talks between the parties involved, he added.

Khemchand recalled the recent tragic incident at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur district, as the most heart-wrenching incident.

He reiterated that the Government had already met the Joint Action Committee of the victims twice along with Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam and assured the JAC that their demands would be fulfilled.

On top of that, the Government is also considering arranging suitable jobs in the State Government for the parents of the victims.

He asserted that the terms set by the Government were not a bargain.

They were a positive gesture from the Government's side in the hope that the parents, who are staying separately, could be soothed a little, he said.

Expressing strong resentment over the ongoing five-day total shutdown called by a group of the JAC the Chief Minister said that such unwarranted and senseless activities create confusion among the general public, and sometimes the Government feels sorry for such a situation.

Khemchand assured that the 3.5 km-long approach road at Wangjing will be constructed at the earliest.

The inauguration function was also attended by MLAs Paonam Brojen, Dr Thockchom Radheshyam Singh, Kongkham Robindro, Sheikh Noorul Hassan, Lourembam Rameshwor, the Thoubal Deputy Commissioner, and other Government officials, among others.

Till the time of filing this report, police have been continuously firing tear gas shells to prevent protesters from storming or vandalising the newly inaugurated Block Development Office.