Shutdown Imposed After Tronglaobi Bomb Attack Killed Two Children; CRPF Firing on Protesters Claimed Three More Lives
IMPHAL — The Manipur government on Saturday lifted the mobile internet shutdown across five Imphal Valley districts — Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur — with immediate effect, ending an 11-day blackout that began in the wake of one of the most disturbing incidents of the state's ongoing ethnic conflict.
The order was issued by the Home Department and signed by Joint Secretary (Home) Dr. Mayengbam Veto Singh.
The internet ban was first imposed on April 7, 2026, following a deadly explosion in Moirang Tronglaobi village in Bishnupur district. The blast, which occurred at a residential property, claimed the lives of two children — a five-year-old boy and a six-month-old infant — and left their mother seriously injured.
The attack triggered widespread outrage. Hundreds of youths and women took to the streets in protest, eventually storming a CRPF camp near Gelmol, around 100 metres from the blast site. Protesters burnt vehicles and vandalised property inside the camp. Security forces opened fire, killing two civilians and injuring 20 others. Another protester succumbed to injuries on the next day.
The state's Home Minister confirmed the deaths, saying that the protesters had entered the camp and set vehicles on fire before security personnel fired. The police said legal action would be initiated against individuals spreading falsehoods on social media.
The internet shutdown was initially imposed for three days on April 7. Since then, it was extended multiple times in short phases, typically for two days at a time, as the administration maintained that unverified information and inflammatory content on social media could further destabilize the already fragile situation.
On April 8, the government partially eased the shutdown by restoring broadband services under strict conditions, but mobile internet remained suspended. The ban on mobile internet was extended repeatedly until April 18.
Saturday's order cited the hardship caused to ordinary residents by the prolonged shutdown. Courts, hospitals, educational institutions, health facilities, and essential citizen services had all been disrupted during the 11-day blackout.
The government stated that services were being restored in public interest, while also warning citizens to use the internet and social media responsibly — a signal that authorities retain the power to reimpose restrictions if the situation on the ground worsens.
Around 300 people have been killed and tens of thousands rendered homeless in the ethnic violence between the Imphal Valley-based Meeteis and hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023.
