Imphal: The Indigenous People Organisation Manipur (IPOM) on Monday withdrew its call for a 24-hour statewide shutdown but urged people to observe a 24-hour cease work and organise sit-in protests across localities to condemn recent bomb attacks in Bishnupur district.
IPOM had earlier, along with the All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Yelhoumee Kanba Lup and other civil society groups, announced a total shutdown from midnight in protest against a series of improvised explosive device (IED) blasts that injured two civilians earlier in the day.
Announcing the revised programme, IPOM said local residents should stage peaceful sit-in demonstrations to protest what it described as repeated attempts by armed miscreants to disrupt peace and security in the state.
Despite the withdrawal of the shutdown, several educational institutions had already declared a holiday on January 6, and authorities advised students and parents to confirm schedules with individual schools and colleges.
Earlier on Monday, two people sustained injuries when an IED planted near an abandoned house of a Meitei family exploded in Bishnupur district, officials said. Villagers reported that the first blast occurred inside the deserted house between 5 am and 6 am.
A second explosion took place shortly thereafter around 200 metres away in Saiton village, injuring a man and a woman. The blasts occurred in quick succession, residents told central security personnel deployed in the area.
The injured were identified as Soibam Sanatomba Singh (52) and Nongthombam Indubala Devi (37). Both were rushed to hospital for treatment.
The abandoned house belongs to Salam Mani Singh (70), who has been staying in a relief camp since May 2023 following the outbreak of Meitei-Kuki ethnic violence, officials added.
Security forces have intensified vigilance in the area as investigations into the blasts continue.