Thoubal, FEB 23, 2026 (IMP): A hand grenade exploded late last night in front of a betel leaf shop located at Wangjing Heirok Crossing, New Market, under Thoubal Police Station in Thoubal district.
According to reports, unidentified miscreants lobbed the bomb at around 10:40 pm on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday. Fortunately, as the incident occurred late at night, no casualties were reported. However, the explosion caused damage to the shop’s shutter, roofing sheets, and the door of an adjacent shop.
The shop targeted in the attack belongs to Ningthoujam Roben alias Bijenkumar (41), son of (Late) Angang of Heirok Part-III, Tourangbam area.
A team of Thoubal district police arrived at the scene this morning and conducted a detailed inspection. Further investigation into the incident is underway.
Speaking to media persons, shop owner Ningthoujam Roben stated that this was not the first attack on his establishment. He alleged that on August 10, 2025, in the early hours, unidentified individuals had fired two rounds at his shop and demanded ₹5 lakh from him, which he refused to pay.
He further said that in January 2026, an underground group warned him to close down his shop. However, as the shop is his family’s only source of livelihood, he continued operating it. He also mentioned that after certain allegations linking him with Kuki narco-terrorists were circulated on social media, both he and local residents strongly refuted the claims.
Roben alleged that he has recently been receiving repeated threats through WhatsApp calls from a group demanding money, but due to illness in his family, he did not comply with the demand. Following these threats, the bomb attack was carried out at his shop to intimidate him, he claimed.
Roben appealed to the concerned groups to refrain from targeting him, stating that he earns his livelihood through legitimate business activities and has no involvement in any unlawful acts.
Meanwhile, a sit-in protest was held on Monday evening, organised by the Wangjing Lamding Keithel Shopkeepers Development Association, condemning the recent attack and demanding permanent security deployment in the Wangjing area.
Later, a memorandum was also submitted to the concerned SP, demanding immediate security deployment in the Wangjing area.
Terming the attack a cowardly act, the memorandum stated that an attack on one member of the commercial community is not just a personal injury but an assault on the peace, livelihood, and sense of security of every citizen of Wangjing. Such incidents create an atmosphere of fear that cripples local trade and discourages the public from visiting the market.
Despite Wangjing Bazaar being a vital economic hub for the district, the memorandum further stated that the lack of visible and consistent security personnel has left the area vulnerable. The recent incident highlights the absence of regular police patrolling during peak business hours, lack of surveillance that emboldens miscreants and anti-social elements, and increasing vulnerability of small business owners who handle daily cash transactions.
The association demanded immediate security deployment, including permanent stationing of police personnel and commandos within the market area to deter further crimes, regular patrolling with intensive foot and mobile patrols especially during evening hours, and swift investigation through immediate arrest and prosecution of the culprits involved in the recent attack to ensure justice is served.
