Tronglaobi terror attack Widespread protests continue amid curfew

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 11: Even as the perpetrators of the April 7 Tronglaobi terror attack remain at large with NIA investigating the case, pressure is mounting on Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and his Government to act swiftly and deliver justice for the two children killed.
While widespread protest demonstrations were held across several districts condemning the terror attack that killed two children, several hundreds of women blocked half of Tiddim road at Lamangdong Keithel, Bishnupur today.
During the protest demonstration, Apunba Nupi Lup (ANUL) Bishnupur president Lourembam Pramo said the public has decided to block the flow of all commodities to Chura-chandpur until concrete actions are taken to deliver justice and punish CRPF personnel involved in the firing on April 7 that killed three protesters and injured several others.
Two children were killed and their mother was injured in a bomb attack at Trong-laobi on April 7. Subse- quently, protesters who had stormed a CRPF camp in protest were fired upon. The indiscriminate firing killed three protesters and injured several.
Condemning the April 7 incidents, protesters at Sek-mai Bazar today demanded resignation of the Chief Minister and the Home Minister on moral ground.
The demonstration, joint-ly organised by Coordina- ting Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) Sek-mai Branch and Advance Women Society (AWS), saw large public participation.
The protesters denounced the Government and the security forces for failing to reign in terror.
"The Central Government and the State Government can bring peace to the State if they are willing. However, violence has been allowed to persist despite a large presence of security forces," Usham Amubi, president of the AWS, said.
There are more than adequate Central security forces deployed in Manipur. But, they have not pursued and cracked down on Kuki militants who continue to launch terror attacks, she said.
The perpetrators of the Tronglaobi terror attack must be identified, arrested and punished at the earliest, she added.
The protesters raised slogans denouncing Government "inaction", and demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister and the State Home Minister.
Women vendors of Singjamei market also organised a sit-in and demanded justice for the children killed in the Tronglaobi attack. They also demanded action against CRPF personnel involved in the firing that killed three protesters and injured several others.
At Lamphel Sanakeithel, members of different communities, including Meitei, Tangkhul, Kabui, Anal, Chothe, Maring, Koireng and Kom took part in a massive sit-in protest.
The protesters demanded justice for the children killed in the Tronglaobi bomb attack, and urged the Government to crackdown on Kuki "narco-terrorists".
They also demanded the Government of India to "stop the proxy war", and send back "one-sided Central security forces" from Manipur.
Imphal East's Bashikhong also witnessed a sit-in protest, organised by Bashikhong Kongba Irong Development Committee and Meira Paibi.
The demonstration at Bashikhong Kongba Irong Thongkhong condemned the Tronglaobi bomb attack and subsequent firing by CRPF which killed three persons and injured several protesters.
The protesters urged the State Government to convene a special session of the Assembly on the incident, and crackdown on Kuki militants to curb violent incidents.
Protest demonstrations were also held at places under Imphal West.
Sanjenbam Apunba Meira Paibi Lup (SAMPAL) and Social Youth Organisation (SAYON) organised a sit-in demonstration at Sanjenbam Mayai Leikai Community Hall. The protesters urged the Government to take decisive actions to punish the perpetrators of the Tronglaobi terror attack and crackdown on Kuki militants.
Protest demonstrations were also held at Nagamapal, Wangoi and several other places.
Widespread protest demonstrations and Meira rallies were also taken out yesterday at different places across several districts. CHRC Chanam Sandrok, Gamma Ray Club, LAHVDA and Meira Paibi organisations carried out a Meira rally yesterday. The protesters raised slogans denouncing the Government and the Central Government for failing to protect civilians and children. They urged the Government to act promptly and deliver justice for the children killed in the Tronglaobi terror attack. A Meira rally was also organised at Nungbrang yesterday.