The Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) strongly condemns the armed firing and bombing that took place at Torbung, Bishnupur District, on the evening of 16 December 2025.
A press release by COCOMI highlighted that such acts of violence directly contravene the Constitution of India particularly the guarantee of Right to Life and Personal Liberty (Article 21) for all citizens and strike at the very foundation of constitutional governance and democratic order. Violent intimidation undermines the rule of law, disrupts public order (Article 19), and imperils social harmony.
The press release further stated that, “What exacerbates this grave situation is the public statement issued by Mr. Ginza Vualzong, a leader of the Kuki-Zo Council, in which he allegedly, justified and rationalised the attack, offered inflammatory allegations, made statements likely to provoke further unrest and incite violence.
COCOMI views such public defence of armed violence as an affront to constitutional values and democratic norms. Statements that morally endorse terroristic acts threaten public safety, embolden armed actors, and may constitute criminal incitement and abetment under Indian law.
COCOMI calls attention to applicable provisions under Indian law and reiterates its deep concern that despite recurring incidents of armed violence where armed groups continue to operate with apparent impunity in Ccpur areas, leaders who publicly justify violence face no visible deterrents, there is a growing perception of selective enforcement, undermining public confidence in the rule of law and the impartial application of justice as envisaged by the Constitution.
COCOMI demanded immediate registration of FIRs under relevant legal provisions, transfer of investigation to a senior-level or special investigation team due to the gravity and sensitive nature of the case, legal action against all forms of public incitement and justification of terror, irrespective of identity or affiliations, immediate security reinforcement and domination of vulnerable areas, including Torbung; Waikhurok; Kangvai; Torbung Bangla etc., a time-bound Action Taken Report to ensure transparency, accountability, and public confidence in law enforcement.
The National People’s Party Manipur unit has also condemned the firing incidents that took place yesterday at Phougakchao Ikhai, Torbung and Kangvai in Bishnupur district.
Reacting to the incident while speaking to the media, NPP Manipur unit president Lorho S. Pfoze and the party’s national vice president Irengbam Hemochandra expressed strong concern over the renewed violence. Lorho S. Pfoze said that Manipur had witnessed a relative lull in violence for nearly a year, during which people had begun to look forward to the formation of a government and had started returning to their homes. He stated that the sudden outbreak of violence was unfortunate and deeply distressing for a population that had already endured prolonged suffering.
Calling for collective efforts to restore peace, Lorho S. Pfoze said the time had come for all sections of society to work together to bring normalcy back to the state. He appealed to people across communities to give peace another chance, particularly with the Christmas season approaching and the New Year drawing near, and to extend goodwill to one another for the restoration of peace in Manipur.
Vice president Irengbam Hemochandra also condemned the incidents, stating that the violence was especially disturbing as it occurred after more than a year of relative calm in the state.
The Youth’s Forum for Protection of Human Rights has also condemned the gunfire and bomb attack that occurred yesterday in the Meitei residential area of Torbung, where families had only recently begun returning after being displaced since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023.
In a statement, the forum said that targeting civilian residential areas amounted to a serious violation of human rights and basic principles of civilian protection. The organisation stated that the attack created widespread panic among residents, particularly women and children, and retraumatised families who have already suffered prolonged displacement and hardship.
The forum expressed concern that such incidents caused severe psychological distress and violated fundamental rights, including the right to life, personal security, and the right to live with dignity without fear. It further stated that despite the imposition of President’s Rule, the authorities had failed to ensure peace and protect civilians, and that the continuing violence reflected a serious lapse in the protection of fundamental rights.
Raising concerns over the repeated nature of such attacks, the organisation said these incidents pointed to the possible involvement of armed militant groups and questioned the role and effectiveness of the Central Armed Police Forces deployed in the area. According to the forum, the attacks appeared aimed at prolonging the conflict, widening communal divisions, and undermining peace and social harmony in Manipur.