The mortal remains of three civilians killed by CRPF gunfire during the public unrest that followed the April 7 Tronglaobi bomb attack were collected from RIMS morgue on April 24 and laid to rest at Lamthabung, Phougakchao Ikhai, with gun salutes rendered by local volunteers and Manipur Police.
IMPHAL – In the early hours of April 7, 2026, at approximately 1:05 a.m., Kuki militants planted a bomb at Tronglaobi Awang Leikai in Bishnupur District, which killed two young children sleeping with their mother at their home: five-year-old Oinam Tomthin and his five-month-old sister, Yaishana Chanu. Their father, Mangalnganba Meitei, is a BSF personnel currently posted in Bihar. The brutal killing of the two infants triggered widespread public outrage, with hundreds of agitated protesters storming a nearby CRPF camp the following day. During that unrest, personnel of D Company, 8th Battalion CRPF, at Gelmol, opened fire, killing three civilians.
Tronglaobi da angang ani leikhidaba thoudok ki mayokta changsinkhiba khongjangda Security Force na kapthorakpa nongmei maru na panbadagi leikhidraba Michael,Jiten amadi Boby gi asiba hakchang Bishnupur District ki Lamthabung da leirol chan-khre. #tronglaobitragedy pic.twitter.com/zcT2YMWKdD
— Poknapham / The People's Chronicle (@PoknaphamNews) April 24, 2026
The three individuals laid to rest on April 24 are Laishram Jiten, aged 48, son of the late Udoichand, a resident of Torbung Waikhurok who had been staying at the Moirang College Block B Relief Camp; Wahengbam Boby, aged 28, son of Ibochouba, from Kumbi Terakhong Makha Leikai Ward No. 7; and Huidrom Henary, aged 28, son of Mohon, from Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai Ward No. 1.
As the bodies of the three deceased were brought from the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) morgue on April 24, passing through Tera Lukram Leirak onto the Tiddim Road, a vast outpouring of public grief was witnessed along the route. People from Nambol, Oinam, Tronglaobi, Terakhongshangbi, and Khudekpi in Bishnupur District gathered to pay their respects. Residents of the Pre-Fabricated House Relief Camp in Kwakta — including parents and children displaced by the ongoing conflict — as well as residents of Phougakchao Ikhai Awang and Phougakchao Ikhai Bazar lined the roadsides to offer floral tributes. Many mothers and elders stood along the route to show their respect as the bodies were transported. Manipur Police personnel maintained security along the route to prevent any untoward incidents.
Upon the arrival of the bodies at Phougakchao Ikhai Awang Leikai, local volunteers rendered a gun salute in honour of the three deceased. The procession continued through the Phougakchao Ikhai Police Station before reaching Lamthabung in Phougakchao Ikhai, where Manipur Police personnel rendered a second gun salute. Residents offered flowers and paid their respects at the ground, after which the final rites were performed in accordance with religious traditions. MLA of Kumbi AC, Sanasam Premchandra, was also present and participated in the final rites. Following the conclusion of the funeral proceedings, members of the public lit Meira torches in the surrounding areas — a customary expression of collective mourning and solidarity in Meitei tradition.
