NIA Makes First Arrest In Manipur’s Tronglaobi IED Attack That Killed Two Children

Imphal: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made its first arrest in connection with the April 7 IED attack at Tronglaobi in Manipur’s Bishnupur district that killed two children, marking a major breakthrough in the probe into the deadly blast.

The accused was arrested by the central agency in connection with the attack, in which a five-year-old boy and his five-month-old sister were killed after an explosive projectile struck their home in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai while the family was asleep.

The blast also left the children’s mother injured. The incident had triggered widespread outrage and protests across Manipur, with civil society groups and the victims’ family demanding the identification and arrest of those responsible.

The Manipur government had handed over the investigation to the NIA shortly after the attack amid heightened tensions in the state. Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh had condemned the incident as a serious attack on peace in Manipur and assured that those behind it would be brought to justice.

The April 7 attack occurred around 1 am when the family was sleeping at their residence in Tronglaobi. The explosive struck the house, killing the two siblings and critically injuring their mother. The attack was followed by angry protests, with demonstrators alleging security lapses and demanding swift action against the perpetrators.

The deaths had also sparked violent clashes in the area. Protesters attempted to storm a nearby CRPF camp, following which security forces opened fire to disperse the crowd. The incident further escalated tensions across several valley districts.

The family initially refused to claim the bodies of the two children, insisting that the perpetrators be arrested. The mortal remains were eventually taken from the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) mortuary in Imphal on May 2, nearly 25 days after the attack, and the children were laid to rest amid a large gathering of mourners.

Earlier, Manipur Police had announced the arrest of three suspected members of the United Kuki National Army (UKNA) in operations following the attack, with weapons and ammunition recovered from them. The arrests were reported as being made in Churachandpur district.

The NIA's latest arrest is the agency’s first in the case and is expected to provide investigators with crucial leads into the conspiracy behind the Tronglaobi attack, including the identities and roles of others allegedly involved.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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