Imphal: Tensions have risen in Manipur following two separate violent incidents reported on Sunday night and Monday morning, in which four people were reportedly killed. The deaths triggered protests in Imphal, where demonstrators brought the bodies of two victims to the residence of Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh and placed them near the main gate. Security personnel used tear gas to disperse the crowd after the situation became tense. The bodies were subsequently removed from the site and taken to a hospital. The latest developments have renewed concerns over the security situation in the state, which has witnessed repeated episodes of violence. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incidents, while details about the identities of those responsible and the possible links between the two cases remain unclear.

Gun Attack on People Collecting Firewood
According to officials, suspected militants allegedly opened fire on a group of people who had gone to collect firewood in a hilly area near the border of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts. Reports indicated that around 16 people had travelled to the area near their village at approximately 7 am on Monday when the attack occurred. The incident reportedly took place in the Kangpokpi district area near Nongshum village. Two people were killed in the shooting, while the injured were taken to hospital for treatment. Authorities also made efforts to locate people who could not immediately be accounted for after the attack. The deceased were identified as 35-year-old Arubam Ronil and 51-year-old Lairenlakpam Inobi, according to the information provided in the initial reports. News of the shooting spread quickly, fuelling anger among local residents and prompting demonstrations. Investigators are working to establish the sequence of events and identify those behind the attack.

Protest Outside CM’s Residence as Security Forces Use Tear Gas
Following the deaths, protesters gathered outside the residence of Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh in Imphal, carrying the bodies of two victims and placing them near the main entrance as a mark of protest. As tensions mounted, security personnel fired tear gas shells to disperse the demonstrators and restore order. The bodies were later taken to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS). It was not immediately confirmed whether the Chief Minister was present at his residence when the protest took place. The demonstrations came amid reports of another violent incident on Sunday night, with the two incidents together reportedly claiming four lives. Manipur has experienced further security concerns in recent months, including a reported gunfight in Chassad village in Kamjong district involving armed groups associated with the Kuki and Naga communities. That incident reportedly left one person dead and several others injured. The latest violence has placed renewed pressure on the administration to maintain law and order and reassure residents. Further investigation is expected to clarify the motives behind the attacks, the identities of the perpetrators and whether the separate incidents are connected.