The rally was held in protest against the April 7 Tronglaobi bombing that killed two children, an incident that has reignited tensions across the Imphal Valley.
BY PC Bureau
April 20, 2026 — Manipur Police have arrested 21 individuals in connection with violent clashes that broke out during a torch rally along the Imphal-Jiribam road on April 18, when protesters allegedly attacked security forces with stones, petrol bombs, catapults and boulders, injuring personnel and damaging official vehicles.
The rally, organized by various civil society organizations (CSOs), was held to protest the April 7 bomb attack in Tronglaobi village in Bishnupur district that killed two children and triggered widespread outrage in the Imphal Valley.
According to an official statement, the procession moved from Patsoi to Sagolband and was largely peaceful until a section of the crowd allegedly turned violent. Police said three personnel from the 232 Battalion CRPF sustained grievous injuries in the clashes, while several other security personnel and protesters were also injured.
Security forces eventually dispersed the crowd and brought the situation under control.
On 18.04.2026, a torch rally was carried out along Imphal Jiribam road, organized by various CSOs from Patsoi to Sagolband. During the rally, the mob became violent and resorted to stone pelting, hurling petrol bombs, use of catapults, boulders on police personnel, resulting in…
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) April 19, 2026
21 Arrested
Police said the arrested individuals have been identified as:
Ksh. Sanjeev, Takhelchangbam Bonanza, Rahul Kshetrimayum, Thongbam Rozer, Gurumayum Max Sharma, Lamjingba Ayekpam, Mutum Murari, Moirangthem James, Oinam Micheal, Koijam Karnajit Meitei, Lambamayum Ringo, Yurish Wayenbam, Huirem Somorjit Singh, Khoisnam Naoba Singh, Nikesh Laishram, Chingakham Ranjan, Seram Vikash, Kangjam Chingkheinganba, Khuraijam Deepak Singh, Wahengbam Naren Singh, Anaoba Kshetrimayum.
Officials said legal action is being initiated against those directly involved, as well as against suspected instigators behind the violence.
The torch rally was part of continuing protests across the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley demanding swift arrests and justice in the April 7 bombing in Tronglaobi, near Moirang, where five-year-old Tomthin Oinam and his five-month-old sister Oinam Leisana were killed when a powerful explosion struck their home. Their mother, Oinam Binita, was critically injured.
The attack has reignited ethnic tensions in the state, with valley-based groups blaming suspected militants from Kuki-Zo-dominated hill areas — an allegation strongly denied by Kuki-Zo organizations.
Multiple torch rallies have been held across Imphal and surrounding areas since the attack, several defying prohibitory orders. Similar protests on April 16 and 17 also led to clashes, with security forces using tear gas and baton charges to disperse crowds.
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Police Warn Of Anti-Social Elements
Manipur Police have expressed concern that anti-social elements are exploiting night-time torch rallies, often called Meira rallies, to fuel violence. Authorities said intelligence inputs indicate petrol bombs, catapults and projectiles are being supplied in advance by instigators, while some participants have allegedly been under the influence of liquor or other intoxicants.
Imphal West Superintendent of Police has appealed for public cooperation to maintain peace and prevent further escalation.
The situation in Imphal West remains tense, with prohibitory orders still in force in certain areas and investigations continuing into both the April 18 violence and the original Tronglaobi bombing.
The arrests underscore the fragile security situation in Manipur, where protests over civilian killings continue to risk spiraling into wider confrontation.
