Mobile internet suspended in Imphal, 4 districts after bomb explosion kills two children

Mobile internet services have been suspended in Imphal and four other districts of Manipur after a suspected rocket attack killed two children, triggering protests and fresh tensions in the state.

The shutdown has been imposed in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur districts as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order and prevent the spread of misinformation.

The incident occurred in the early hours in Tronglaobi village of Bishnupur district, where a projectile, believed to be a rocket, struck a residential house. The explosion killed two siblings — a five-year-old boy and his five-month-old sister — while their mother sustained serious injuries.

According to reports, the children were asleep at the time of the attack when the blast hit their home directly, causing extensive damage and immediate fatalities. The injured mother has been hospitalised and is undergoing treatment.

Initial inputs suggest the projectile may have been fired from nearby hill areas, with suspicion falling on militant groups operating in the region. However, authorities have not officially confirmed those responsible, and investigations are ongoing.

The attack sparked widespread outrage and protests in parts of Manipur, particularly in Bishnupur district. Demonstrations escalated in some areas, prompting security forces to increase deployment and take crowd-control measures.

Officials said the internet shutdown was imposed to curb the circulation of inflammatory content on social media and to prevent further escalation of tensions. Internet suspensions have previously been used in Manipur during periods of unrest to maintain public order.

Security has been heightened across vulnerable areas, especially along the hill-valley boundary zones, which have witnessed repeated tensions in recent years. Additional forces have been deployed, and search operations are underway to track those behind the attack.

Manipur Chief Minister condemned the incident, describing it as a “barbaric act” and an assault on humanity. He assured that those responsible would be identified and brought to justice, while directing authorities to provide the best medical care to the injured victim.