The Tronglaobi attack has prompted the Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM) to demand a clear explanation of the motive and wider conspiracy behind the April 7 IED blast in Bishnupur district.
TIM renewed its demand after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a second accused in the case. The attack killed two children and critically injured their mother, according to the NIA.
Thadou body questions the motive
Thadou Inpi Manipur has asked the NIA to establish why the family in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai was targeted and whether the attack had a wider objective. The organisation also wants investigators to examine links between the attack, threats issued before the Hun-Thadou Cultural Festival and peace initiatives.
TIM has called for the motive and conspiracy to be clearly set out as the NIA continues its probe. However, the organisation’s questions are not findings of the investigation, and the motive has not been publicly established by the agency.
Tronglaobi attack and the April 7 blast
The Tronglaobi attack took place in the early hours of April 7 at a residential house in Tronglaobi Awang Leikai, in Moirang, Bishnupur district. According to the NIA, unidentified militants launched an explosive device from a hillside towards the locality.
The device struck the wall of a house and seriously injured three family members. Two minor children later died from their injuries, while another family member survived. Investigators also recovered an unexploded improvised rocket-propelled grenade near the site.
The case was first registered at Moirang Police Station. The NIA later took over the investigation and re-registered it on April 23 under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
NIA arrests two accused
The investigation gained fresh attention after the NIA arrested Thangmang Haokip, 48, of Churachandpur, on September 25. A Special NIA Court-II in Imphal remanded him to 12 days of police custody.
Earlier, the NIA arrested S. Palal Thadou on August 12. Manipur Police had previously described him as the alleged finance head of the proscribed United Kuki National Army (UKNA) and said he was among the main persons involved in the attack.
The NIA has said further investigation is continuing to identify other people involved and establish the wider network behind the attack.
Tronglaobi attack and festival timing
The Tronglaobi attack occurred on the same day as the 8th State-Level Hun-Thadou Cultural Festival in Imphal.
According to reports quoting TIM, the organisation had raised concerns about threats against Thadou people over participation in the festival before April 7. TIM now wants authorities to explain what action followed those warnings and whether they have any connection to the attack.
At the same time, the timing alone does not establish a motive. Investigators will need to determine whether any link exists through evidence gathered during the NIA probe.
Thadou body seeks wider accountability
TIM has also called for investigators to identify those who may have planned, financed, armed or facilitated the attack. It has asked the Centre and Manipur government to disclose what preventive steps were taken after its earlier warnings.
The organisation has further sought stronger protection for communities across Manipur, including people living in both valley and hill areas. Its statement also links the issue to concerns over intimidation, armed violence and civilian safety.
The NIA has not publicly announced a final motive or completed its investigation. Therefore, the questions raised by the Thadou body remain part of the wider public debate rather than established findings.
Tronglaobi attack investigation remains key
The latest arrests have added new leads to a case that began with the killing of two children in April. The NIA is now examining the roles of the two accused and looking for other people who may have been involved.
Those answers must come from evidence gathered in the ongoing investigation and any findings placed before the court.
The agency’s wider investigation remains active for now.