Torbung, Phougakchao Ikhai wake up to bomb created craters, inaction of Central forces questioned

Our Correspondent
MOIRANG, Dec 17: Asserting that the fierce attack carried out by Kuki militants at Torbung and Phougakchao Ikhai on December 16, 2025 evening was targeting innocent civilians, many villagers have questioned the failure of Central forces to respond promptly and effectively to the unprovoked aggression.
Three craters of three feet in diameter and 1.5 feet deep made by bombs fired by Kuki militants were discovered this morning.
Moreover, many tin roofs/walls were found perforated by bullets at Phougakchao Ikhai Mamang Leikai. Bullets were also found inside some houses.
One bomb landed and exploded at the southern side of Phougakchao Ikhai Mamang Leikai, another in  the northern side of Oinam Shyamsunder’s house at Torbung Mamang Leikai Ward No 4 and the third one at just around 50 feet away from a house occupied by security forces at Phougakchao Ikhai Mamang Leikai Ward No 3.
Following the unprovoked attack, security forces carried out a search operation in Churachandpur side today and recovered a bomb.
The bomb was set off safely at around 2 pm.
Some villagers said that all the bullets and bombs fired by armed Kukis last night were targeting innocent Meitei civilians as many bullets hit Meitei houses and all the bombs landed near Meitei houses.
They also questioned the Central forces’ failure to respond promptly and effectively to such unprovoked attacks carried out by armed Kukis.
Instead of protecting civilians by responding promptly to the attack, some Central security personnel were among the civilians who were fleeing to safer places, the villagers said.
They also expressed serious doubt that there will be peace in Manipur until and unless massive operations are carried out and all the Kukis are disarmed.
On the other hand, vehemently condemning the unprovoked attacks carried out by armed Kukis at Torbung Mamang Leikai, Phougakchao Ikhai Mamang Leikai and Phougakchao Ikhai Makha Leikai, people staged protest demonstrations by shutting markets and closing roads at different parts of Bishnupur district today.
The protesters urged the PR administration to either take decisive action against armed Kukis or give back the arms recovered from Meiteis.
During one such protest at Moirang Keithel, Moirang Kendra Apunba Meira Paibi Ima Lup secretary N Thaba Devi, citing the December 16 attack by armed Kukis,  questioned the PR administration’s claim of having restored peace and normalcy in Manipur.
It is an unmistakable indication of giving a free hand to the Kukis and selective application of law and order in the valley alone while leaving out the hills from the purview of all laws, she said.      
She asked Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to step down and leave Manipur if he is not in a position to restore normalcy in the State.
Decrying that the PR administration has failed miserably to deter armed Kukis from attacking innocent civilians at any time and place of their choosing despite a large number of security forces, Thaba asked the Government to give back the arms recovered from the valley and let the villagers face the armed Kukis.
The silence of Central forces and State forces to the unrestrained attack against displaced people at Phougakchao who have just resettled implies that they are siding with the Kuki narco-terrorists, she said.
A similar protest was held at Bishnupur Keithel too where one side of Tiddim Road was closed.