Imphal, April 7: Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Tuesday announced that the investigation into the bomb attack in Bishnupur district, which claimed the lives of two children, will be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Addressing a press conference, Singh condemned the incident as a “barbaric act” and said it appeared to be the handiwork of individuals or groups with vested interests in disturbing peace in the state. He added that the decision to involve the NIA was taken after discussions with the state home minister and other MLAs.

The attack occurred around 1 am on Tuesday when suspected militants hurled a bomb at a house in Moirang Tronglaobi area, killing a five-year-old boy and a six-month-old girl, and injuring their mother. Security forces including police, Assam Rifles, and CRPF have launched massive combing operations, with helicopters deployed to track down the perpetrators.

The Chief Minister appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with security forces, even as protests erupted across Bishnupur and Imphal. Locals torched oil tankers, trucks, and tyres, and vandalised a police outpost in Tronglaobi. Demonstrators also blocked roads in Imphal East and West districts, burning tyres in several locations.

State Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam confirmed that two people were killed and five injured after a mob stormed a CRPF camp in Bishnupur district during the protests. Vehicles were set ablaze and parts of the camp vandalised.

Singh assured that those responsible for the attack will be identified and dealt with firmly under the law, stressing that the culprits “will be caught at the earliest.