widespread protests erupted against the death of two children in a bomb blast in Manipur wherein protesters clashed with Indian security forces personnel during a torch rally in the state capital, Imphal. Two children died in a bomb blast at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur on April 7. The Imphal Valley districts have been witnessing daily protests over the incident.

A seven-km-long torch rally was taken out from Mayai Lambi to Keishamthong in Imphal West district on Monday night (April 20, 2026), but the participants turned violent and clashed with forces, a police officer said.  Forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells in the Keishamthong area after hundreds of protesters, defying curfew, demanded they be allowed to proceed for another 200 metres towards the Keisampat area, which is close to the Raj Bhavan and the BJP state office, he said.

Orders prohibiting the movement of any individuals outside their homes are in force in all five valley districts from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. "Protesters pelted forces perssone with stones and iron pellets from catapults, endangering the lives of the heavily outnumbered personnel," the officer said. Manipur Police have, meanwhile, arrested 19 people for violating curfew and committing offences, including blocking roads and damaging public property, in the Greater Imphal area.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)