Condemn The Killing Of Children, Bombing In Manipur, And Violent Repression Of People’s Protests

7 May 2026 – The International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL) strongly condemns the brutal killing of children in the April 7 bombing attack in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai, Bishnupur District, Manipur, where two young siblings were killed and their mother seriously injured when an explosive projectile struck their home before dawn.

Gov’t emboldened aggression

The attack has been one of the numerous bombing, and shelling in Manipur since the conflict of May 2023 erupted. Since 2023, reported violence are dozens of incidents involving explosives, improvised bombs and grenades, numerous projectile or mortar-like shelling episodes across villages, and hundreds of armed clashes, arson attacks, shootings, and raids overall.

The National Investigation Agency investigation is still on-going. NIA reportedly caught suspected members of the United Kuki National Army shortly after the incident. But the UKNA has denied any involvement in the bomb blast attack calling it “baseless” and “unfounded” allegations.

While the violence is mainly portrayed as tribal, communal and ethnic conflict, human rights groups are pointing out how the government emboldened aggression by proxy militants, raising issues of collusion between armed groups and security forces, the use of sophisticated weapons, and overall government inaction.

Violating IHL, HR, IP rights

IPMSDL extended its condolences and prayers to the grieving families, in their demand for justice, and the people of Manipur in demanding peace.

“No child or civilian should ever become a target of armed conflict. The persisting violence in Manipur demands immediate global humanitarian attention and action to fully deescalate brutal attacks against Indigenous Peoples (IP), investigate and hold to account those in violation of International Humanitarian Law, human rights and rights of IP,” Beverly Longid, IPMSDL Co-convener emphasized.

The glacial pace of the government became an everyday failure, enabling the “cycle of violence and impunity”.

With the “blatant failure” and “inadequate humanitarian response”, people’s frustrations again outpoured in the streets across Manipur following the attacks.

Protest actions continued in several places that remain unnoticed partly due to the repeated internet shutdown, social media shut downs, mobile data ban, and road blockades.

• April 7: Immediate mass protests of hundreds erupted in Bishnupur protesting at the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp. CRPF personnel opened fire, resulting in the death of three protesters, with over 30 individuals injured.
• April 8–12: Sustained demonstrations continued as public anger grew across Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Kakching from hundreds to thousand in different protest hubs.
• April 19: Sit-ins and candlelight vigils were reported in Imphal-area localities at Uripok Khaidem Leikai, Yaiskul, Sagolband and other communities.
• April 20: Torch rallies were held in Langathel, mass torch rally from Langthabal to Keishamthong condemning the killing of children and civilians.
• April 20: Solidarity rallies in hundreds were also reported outside Manipur, including in Assam.

“We call on everyone to strongly express solidarity with the Indigenous Peoples and communities in Manipur mobilizing to demand the end of this impunity and government inaction. These actions are legitimate democratic expressions of collective outrage,” Longid called in invitation to the international community.

Militarist response

While the government seems slow to ensure the safety of the people, they were swift and brazen in using violent force against protesters, including security forces open firing during demonstrations after the bombing, which led to further deaths and injuries.

“State violence against grieving communities only compounds the suffering of the people. Repression cannot bring peace, only justice and accountability can,” added Longid.

Since the eruption of the tribal conflicts in 2023, hundreds have been killed, tens of thousands displaced, and communities divided under conditions of deep impunity. Renewed violence this April shows that militarized responses have failed to address the underlying political, social, and historical issues driving the unrest in IP and communities in Manipur and in the region.

“The militarist and fascist response of the Government of India is not new in Manipur and the wider Northeast Indian region. Decades of troop deployment, emergency laws, checkpoints, armed operations, and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) have not delivered peace to Indigenous Peoples and marginalized communities. Instead, it normalized impunity, deepened fear, displaced civilians, and reproduced cycles of militarized violence,” Longid said referring to the draconian legislation that heavily militarized Manipur and Northeast Indian states for years.

Unity against common enemy

“Inter-tribal conflicts must never be driven into antagonism, hatred, or violent confrontation, but resolved through sincere dialogue, customary peace pacts, collective consultations, and community-based resolutions rooted in mutual respect and justice,” Longid explained.

Furthermore, Longid underscored that “historically, IP have long shared common experiences of marginalization, dispossession, militarization, and the systematic denial of rights. Rather than being turned against one another, IP communities must unite against the common enemy that have historically colonized, encroached upon ancestral lands and resources, use discriminatory laws, extractive policies, militarized violence, and divide-and-rule tactics to weaken collective community resistance.”

For IPMSDL, Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination is a tool for peacebuilding. These community mechanisms and rights-based governance must be recognized and strengthened, and not the proliferation of military camps, arms and weapons.

She reiterated the call for everyone, Indigenous peoples’ organizations, human rights defenders, and solidarity movements worldwide to stand, mobilize, and express all forms of support for peace and the rights of the people of Manipur.

This includes the opportunity to raise and call for solidarity and action at the 25th session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII25) at the UN Headquarters in New York City from April 20 to May 1, according to IPMSDL.

“In time of escalating global imperialist wars that profits in the use of military weapons and the economic crisis it pressed down on the peoples, we are urged to unitedly advance a just and lasting peace respecting Indigenous Peoples rights, self-determination and dignity!” Longid ended.

Stop attacks on civilians! Stop the militarization of Indigenous Peoples communities!
End repression of protesters!
Repeal AFSPA and draconian laws!

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