The recent terrorist attack on Meitei civilians returning to their homes in Torbung and Phougakchao Ikhai is a chilling reminder of the grave security vacuum in Manipur under President’s Rule. Families, elderly citizens, and children, who had just left relief camps after years of displacement, were subjected to indiscriminate gunfire and bomb attacks. A moment meant for reconciliation and normalcy was transformed into a night of terror.
This was not an accidental outbreak of violence or a spontaneous clash. It was a calculated, premeditated assault, aimed at instilling fear, sabotaging the return of displaced communities, and undermining fragile peace efforts. Armed groups continue to operate freely in sensitive areas, exploiting gaps in security deployment to target civilians. That this attack occurred immediately after a high-level security review highlights a shocking failure of intelligence, operational planning, and governance.
It is imperative to recognise the attack for what it is: terrorism. Targeting unarmed civilians with firearms and explosives cannot be dismissed as ethnic clashes or a law-and-order problem. Such acts strike at the very core of human rights, public trust, and democratic governance.
The failure of security forces to prevent or respond to such incidents exposes the structural weaknesses under President’s Rule. The absence of permanent posts, night patrols, and rapid-response mechanisms in returnee settlements leaves citizens dangerously vulnerable. Intelligence lapses, poor coordination, and the inability to neutralise armed groups create an environment in which extremist forces can operate with impunity.
Immediate measures are non-negotiable. Robust security deployment is essential in Torbung, Phougakchao Ikhai, and all IDP resettlement areas. Permanent posts, night patrols, and rapid-response units must be established and operational. Intelligence networks should proactively monitor extremist activity, and armed groups must be held accountable with visible action. The appointment of a senior security officer with clear command authority over IDP protection is crucial to ensure accountability and rapid decision-making.
This incident also underscores a hard truth: declarations of peace and reconciliation mean little if they are not enforced on the ground. Returning communities are the true test of governance. Without effective security, promises of peace remain hollow, and citizens’ trust in the administration erodes further.
Political and administrative authorities must recognise that the protection of civilians is their paramount responsibility. Terror attacks on unarmed communities cannot be treated as routine law-and-order challenges. Failure to act decisively emboldens extremist elements and prolongs displacement, fear, and instability.
The attack on returning IDPs is a wake-up call. Manipur cannot afford the continued exposure of its civilians to armed terror. Ensuring their safety requires more than rhetoric—it demands rapid, sustained, and accountable action. Central and state authorities must demonstrate that extremist violence will be confronted, that civilian lives are protected, and that peace in the state is enforced, not merely declared. Anything less risks turning temporary reconciliation into permanent insecurity.