Protesters attempted to stop the Chief Minister’s movement to Wangjing, forcing him to travel by helicopter, while tear gas and warning shots were reportedly used to disperse demonstrators.
BY PC Bureau
April 21, 2026 — Tension gripped parts of Manipur’s Thoubal district on Tuesday as rival positions taken by two groups of Meira Paibis over Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand’s visit to inaugurate the newly constructed Block Development Office (BDO) at Wangjing triggered protests, road blockades and clashes with security forces, turning what was planned as a routine government event into a day of political confrontation.
Manipur Police said security forces resorted to “minimum necessary force” and eventually controlled firing as a last resort after a large group of protesters allegedly advanced toward the Chief Minister’s function site armed with stones and catapults during the inauguration of the Wangjing BDO office.
In a statement, the police alleged the crowd appeared intent on vandalising the newly constructed office and posed a serious threat to public property, dignitaries present at the event, and overall law and order.
According to police, personnel repeatedly warned the crowd and appealed for protesters to disperse, but the group continued to advance aggressively, prompting authorities to escalate their response.
Police said controlled firing was undertaken in strict adherence to established protocols only after other measures failed, describing the action as necessary to disperse the mob and neutralise the threat.
During the incident, Elangbam Nandbir Singh (40), a resident of Heirok Part 2 Elangbam Leirak who is currently serving as a VDF SPO A-Coy, sustained injuries. Police identified him as part of the protesting group.
Authorities said the situation was later brought under control, preventing further damage and ensuring the safety of those present at the venue.
Manipur, India
Anguished citizens, frustrated by the authorities’ inaction in cracking down on the terrorists killing civilians, protested against the Chief Minister’s participation in an inaugural function in Wangjing, Thoubal District. Security forces dispersed the protesters… pic.twitter.com/lRY8umf1xI— huidrom athouba (@HuidromAthouba) April 21, 2026
The unrest stemmed from a deep divide between Meira Paibi Lups in Thoubal district, which had called for a boycott of the Chief Minister’s visit, and Wangjing-based Meira Paibi and local civil groups, which publicly backed the inauguration and pledged to ensure the programme went ahead.Meira Paibi Lups are Meitei women’s civil society organisations known for street protests, aggressive interventions, and grassroots mobilisation on social and political issues in Manipur.
The boycott call was announced after a meeting at Thoubal Melaground Community Hall, where Meira Paibis from across the district resolved to oppose the Chief Minister’s visit, arguing that amid ongoing unrest in the state, the inauguration was an attempt to project normalcy while public anger continued over recent killings and security-related violence.
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Protest leaders cited the killing of two children in Tronglaobi, the deaths of three civilians during protests allegedly linked to CRPF firing, and the recent killing of two civilians in an ambush in Ukhrul as reasons for opposing the visit. They accused the government of trying to divert attention from the crisis through symbolic public events.
In sharp contrast, Wangjing residents, including members of the Wangjing Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, Women Coordinating Committee and Youth Coordinating Committee, declared support for the Chief Minister’s visit, arguing the BDO office was a long-awaited development project and the first government office of its kind for the area.
During the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s visit, a large group of individuals armed with stones and catapults advanced toward the function site with apparent intent to vandalize the newly constructed BDO office. Despite repeated warnings and appeals by police personnel to disperse, the…
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) April 21, 2026
They maintained the inauguration should not be politicised and warned against attempts to obstruct the programme.
The competing positions set the stage for confrontation on Tuesday, as protesters erected road blockades along the Thoubal line in a bid to stop the Chief Minister from reaching Wangjing.
Anticipating disruptions, the Chief Minister altered his travel route and flew by helicopter from Imphal to Khongjom, before travelling a short distance by road under security escort to the inauguration venue.
Despite the protests, the inauguration proceeded under heavy security, but tensions escalated as a large number of demonstrators gathered near the venue, raising slogans and attempting to press their opposition.
According to local sources, the situation turned volatile when security forces moved to disperse protesters. Tear gas was used, and shots were reportedly fired in the air to control the crowd. At least one protester was reportedly injured, though official confirmation was awaited.
Tension was reported from multiple locations across the district through the day, with intermittent road blockades disrupting movement and security personnel deployed in strength to prevent further escalation.
The Chief Minister later returned by helicopter following the event.
The developments highlighted rare and open divisions between sections of Meira Paibi groups, whose differing positions over the Chief Minister’s visit transformed a development inauguration into a flashpoint, exposing the complex and increasingly fractured political mood amid Manipur’s continuing unrest.
