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Manipur: Parts of Thoubal district were tense today as protesters blocked key roads ahead of Prime Minister Yumnam Khemchand’s planned visit. The normally busy National Highway 102 came to a standstill as hundreds of Meira Paibi women took to the streets.
Members of Thoubal District Apunba Meira Paibis blocked sections in Thoubal Babu Bazar, Thoubal-Yairipok Lamkhai, Thoubal Athokpam, Khongjom and Phundrei. Protesters burned tires, scattered broken glass bottles on the street and formed human chains to force a shutdown. The protest was aimed at preventing the Prime Minister’s visit to inaugurate the newly built Block Development Office (BDO) in Wangjing Tekcham Leikai, also known as Wangjing Tentha.
The protest had already been announced previously. On April 20, Meira Paibi leaders held a press conference at the Thoubal Mela Ground and said they “cannot accept celebrations while Manipur burns”. They referred to the April 7 bomb blast at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai in Bishnupur district. In that incident, a projectile hit a house around 1 a.m., killing five-year-old Oinam Tomthin and his five-month-old sister Oinam Leisana (or Yaisana). Her mother, Oinam Binita, was critically injured while her father, a border guard, was on duty.
Meitei organizations have blamed militants from nearby hill areas dominated by Kuki-Zo groups, although investigations are ongoing. The incident sparked widespread protests across the Valley, including shutdowns, torch rallies and clashes with security forces in Imphal, Kakching and other areas.
Early in the morning of April 21, protests in Thoubal intensified. Demonstrators raised slogans demanding immediate arrests and an end to “drug terrorism.” They said no public event should be held until justice is delivered. However, another group, Wangjing Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, appealed to residents to welcome the prime minister. They said the BDO office was a long-standing need and important for local development. The appeal highlighted divisions within the Meira Paibi groups.
Anticipating unrest, the Prime Minister changed his travel plan. Instead of traveling by road, he flew by helicopter from Imphal to Khongjom and then took a short road route amid tight security. Security forces cleared streets and removed debris.
Tensions escalated as protesters moved toward the inauguration site and near an Assam Rifles camp. Security forces fired tear gas shells and shots into the air to disperse the crowd. At least one protester was injured. Blockades continued in several areas, affecting normal life.
Despite the situation, Khemchand inaugurated the BDO office amid tight security and later returned by helicopter. He expressed disappointment at the blockade as the state tries to restore normality after ethnic violence that began in 2023 and has claimed over 260 lives.
The government has held meetings with Joint Action Committees and Meira Paibi groups and promised action. Internet services were also suspended in valley districts, restrictions were imposed and additional forces were deployed to bring the situation under control.
