IMPHAL — Students of Assam down town University organised a peaceful candlelight protest on Friday, expressing grief and outrage over the killing of two innocent siblings in a bomb blast at Tronglaobi, Bishnupur district, Manipur, and demanding immediate action against those responsible.

A large number of students participated in the demonstration, holding candles as a mark of solidarity with the victims' bereaved family. The gathering reflected collective sorrow over the deaths of five-year-old Tomthin Oinam and five-month-old Leisana Oinam, who were killed while asleep.

Addressing the gathering, Yumnam Langam Meitei, President of the Assam down town University Manipur Students' Union, delivered a strongly-worded speech condemning what he described as an inhuman attack on innocent civilians at their most vulnerable.

"The loss of two innocent siblings from Tronglaobi, Bishnupur district, is not just tragic — it is deeply disturbing and unacceptable," he said. "This incident raises a serious question: if the government cannot protect innocent citizens, then who will?"

Meitei called for the perpetrators to be identified and brought to justice without delay, invoking the principle that justice delayed is justice denied. He also urged the government to move beyond temporary measures and work toward a permanent resolution to the ongoing conflict, which has now entered nearly its third year.

"It has been almost three years, and the ones who continue to suffer the most are ordinary people, regardless of caste, gender, or religion," he said. "Because at the end of the day, the colour of blood is the same — it is red."

The student leader also made a broader appeal to all communities in Manipur to rise above their differences and work collectively to restore peace, humanity, and dignity, warning that the state could not afford to lose more innocent lives.

The students conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the grieving family and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls, while asserting that such acts of violence have no place in a civilised society.