June 04, 2026 (TBL): One hand grenade was reportedly found at the gate of the residence of Khangembam Bishworjit, the current caretaker chairperson of the Thoubal Municipal Council (TMC), located at Thoubal Athokpam Mayai Leikai under the jurisdiction of Thoubal Police Station. Police said that the act was allegedly carried out by unidentified persons.
According to police, the bomb was spotted at around 12:15 PM. Immediately after receiving information about the explosive, a team from Thoubal District Police arrived at the scene and safely defused and removed the grenade within about an hour, preventing any casualties.
A handwritten note was also found alongside the bomb, which read: “Bishworjit, Take Care”.
As of now, no claim of responsibility for the bomb or its motive has been received.
It may be mentioned here that the incident comes amid ongoing protests by Thoubal Keithel women vendors against the opening of a Vishal Mega Mart within Zero Kilometre of Thoubal Market.
On June 2, caretaker chairperson Kh. Bishworjit had appealed to the media and the public regarding the issue.
In his appeal, he stated that the TMC did not issue the shop license for the newly opened Vishal Mega Mart in Thoubal against the will of the women vendors or without following due process. The license was granted in accordance with the Manipur Municipality Act, 1994, and not outside the law.
He had also mentioned that the TMC has now submitted a letter to the higher authority to re-examine the shop license after considering the concerns of the women vendors. He had urged the vendors to wait for the higher authority’s decision and not take the law into their own hands.
“Do not create unrest. Calm down and reopen the Keithel market. Let the market function as before,” he appealed.
Meanwhile, women vendors of Thoubal Market continued their protest today by blocking the market road and holding a sit-in demonstration. They stated that they will not end their agitation until the Vishal Mega Mart is relocated to another site.
