Ukhrul, India — A bomb detonated in the home of Manipur’s Minister for Veterinary & Animal Husbandry and Transport, Khashim Vashum, on Saturday night in the Hamleikhong area of Ukhrul. Vashum, affiliated with the Naga People’s Front—a key ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party—was not at home when the explosion occurred at approximately 8:40 pm. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported in the incident.
Local authorities responded swiftly to the incident, securing the area and launching an investigation to probe the circumstances surrounding the explosion. These developments have compounded tensions in a region already dealing with significant unrest.
In related events, the Joint Action Committee (JAC), inaugurated following a tragic incident in Kakwa Naorem Leikai that resulted in the death of an unborn child during police operations, has called for a 24-hour general strike commencing at midnight on Saturday. The group formed in protest after local police, attempting to manage a demonstration, deployed tear gas near the home of Sanjita Devi, a pregnant woman, resulting in severe complications that led to the loss of her unborn baby.
The incident happened on the evening of September 11 when a tear-gas canister detonated mere feet from Sanjita Devi’s house in Kakwa, escalating her blood pressure to dangerous levels. Despite being rushed to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, medical professionals could not save her baby. Devi currently remains in a critical condition in the intensive care unit.
The death of the unborn child ignited widespread protests across Manipur, disrupting major roadways, including the Indo-Myanmar Highway. Protestors have clashed violently with security forces amidst these demonstrations, engaging in stone-throwing while police responded with additional rounds of tear gas.
In response to the heightened chaos, the government has ramped up security measures across the state. Stricter curfews have been enforced, and additional security personnel have been deployed in key areas prone to disorder.
Demonstrations have intermittently caused substantial disruptions, including impediments to normal traffic and emergency services operations, with ambulances spotted navigating through crowded protests. The situation remains tense, and the participation and reaction of the community suggest potential for ongoing unrest.
This period of intense civic disturbance follows a relatively calm period in the city of Imphal, which has faced prolonged unrest over several months, viewing these recent incidents as a significant escalation in long-standing grievances.
Local and state authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, calling for calm and dialogue to address the underlying issues fueling the discontent. As investigations into the bombing at Minister Vashum’s residence proceed, the government appeals for peace and reconciliation amidst a volatile atmosphere. The coming days are critical in determining whether these efforts will restore stability or if the region is set for continued upheaval.