A Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel was critically injured after being brutally attacked by an unidentified mob, suspected to be shutdown supporters, at Wangjing Tekcham Leikai in Thoubal district on the night of April 20.
The injured personnel, identified as Takhelchangbam Romesh Sharma (32), was on duty guarding the Wangjing CD Block office, which was scheduled to be inaugurated by Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on April 21.
According to sources, a group allegedly backing the shutdown attempted to set fire to the Block Development Office. Security forces intervened, leading to a confrontation. To control the situation, police fired tear gas shells, rubber bullets, and smoke bombs.
During the clash, Sharma was severely assaulted, reportedly with an iron rod, and sustained serious head injuries. He was initially rushed for treatment and is currently in critical condition at Raj Medicity in Imphal. Sharma, son of late Lolindro from Heirok Part (III), is posted at Wangjing Outpost and bears VDF number 1183.
The incident comes amid tensions over conflicting calls regarding the Chief Minister’s scheduled visit. The Thoubal District Apunba Meira Paibis had called for a boycott of the inauguration, stating that “no festivals or inaugurations can be held while Manipur is burning,” referring to the Tronglaobi killings and earlier CRPF firing incidents.
In contrast, organisations including Wangjing Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, the Women Coordinating Committee Wangjing, and the Youth Coordinating Committee Wangjing expressed support for the Chief Minister’s visit, stating they would warmly welcome him and resist any attempts to obstruct the programme.
Meanwhile, shutdown supporters also blocked the Imphal–Moreh road near Thoubal Babu Bazar on Tuesday morning. Security forces later cleared the blockade, restoring normal traffic movement.
