A massive torch rally in Imphal demanding justice for two children killed in a militant rocket attack in Tronglaobi on April 7 turned violent on the night of April 18, leaving several protesters and security personnel injured as clashes broke. Tear gas shell fell inside a children's hospital.
IMPHAL – A massive torch rally in Imphal's Sagolband area demanding justice for two children killed in a suspected militant bomb attack in Tronglaobi on April 7 turned violent on the night of April 18, leaving several protesters and security personnel injured as clashes broke. Tear gas shell fell inside a children's hospital. A massive torch rally began around 8 pm on the night of April 18 in the Sagolband area of Imphal, organised under the aegis of AMUCO, MSF, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur, AMAWOVA, and COHR. Thousands of protesters took to the streets, raising slogans including "Long live Manipur", "We must live with freedom", and "Go back central force", as the procession moved from Patsoi toward Ima Keithel.
Security forces initially blocked the procession at Sagolband Bijoy Govinda, but protesters pushed through and were again stopped near Meino Leirak. As the crowd continued toward Ima Keithel and reached the Jiri parking area at Wahengbam Leikai, police and central security forces fired tear gas shells and smoke bombs to disperse the gathering. Several protesters were injured in the action, while security personnel also sustained injuries after being targeted with stones and catapults. Police detained a number of participants during the clashes.
18/04/2026
— BeeThangjam (@beethangjam) April 18, 2026
???????? ???? ?????? ?????? ???? ????. ???????? ??????; ????'?? ???? ?????? ?????????????????? ???? #??????????. #??????????????????????????
The Meira rally in #Manipur continues after two siblings were killed by #KukiTerrorists and three civilians were killed… https://t.co/mD6pqVGJPU pic.twitter.com/B018uTSoyM
Protesters set fires on the road and placed logs and bamboo barricades, obstructing the movement of security vehicles. Efforts to control the situation continued late into the night as tensions remained high across the area.
Tear Gas Shells Fall Inside Children's Hospital
In one of the most alarming aspects of the night's events, tear gas shells fired by security forces fell inside Mother's Care Children Hospital and Research Centre at Sagolband, raising immediate concern over the safety of patients — including young children — inside the facility. The incident drew sharp criticism from civil society groups and drew attention to the dangers posed to civilian infrastructure when security operations are conducted in densely populated residential and commercial areas.
3rd Hospital during Manipur Violence. In the name of protesters disperse. #Security forces fire teargas #Mother care hospital and research centre, Imphal.@AmitShah @diana_warep @laimacha @LokBhavManipur @PradyotManikya @YKhemchandSingh @WHO pic.twitter.com/JsdvJUOYOx
— Rohit Nongthombam (@RohitNongt50112) April 18, 2026
Background: The Tronglaobi Attack That Sparked Public Anger
The rally was the latest eruption of sustained public grief and fury over a devastating attack in the early hours of April 7, when a rocket attack by Kuki militants struck a civilian home at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai in Moirang, Bishnupur district, while the family inside was asleep. The projectile, believed to have been fired from nearby, killed a five-year-old boy and a five-month-old girl — the two children of Oinam Malemnganba, a Border Security Force personnel posted outside the state. Their mother, 37-year-old Oinam Ongbi Binita, was critically injured.
The attack triggered immediate and intense protests across Meetei-dominated areas of the valley. Locals set fire to oil tankers and a truck near a petrol pump, and burned tyres in front of the Moirang Police Station. In one of the most serious escalations, a mob stormed a CRPF camp, allegedly attempting to snatch weapons and set fire to vehicles; CRPF personnel opened fire in response, killing two protesters. The Manipur government subsequently suspended internet services in five districts — Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur — and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh announced that the case would be handed to the National Investigation Agency. Talks between the government and a joint action committee formed after the killings ended without a final agreement. Anger has simmered unresolved ever since.
Report filed: April 18, 2025 | Imphal, Manipur
