Bomb Explosion At Home Kills Former Manipur MLA's Wife In Kangpokpi

Sapam Charubala, the second wife of Yamthong Haokip, was injured in the blast. Yamthong was also present in the house when the blast took place but he was safe.

Charubala Haokip, wife of former Saikul MLA Yamthong Haokip, died in a bomb explosion at her residence in Manipur's Kangpokpi district.

Source : X/@virbhadrayumnam

Charubala Haokip, the wife of former Saikul MLA Yamthong Haokip, lost her life after a bomb explosion at their residence in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, according to police reports on Sunday.

The 59-year-old belonged to the Meitei community and resided in Ekou Mulam, within the Kuki-Zomi-dominated Kangpokpi district. Her husband, Yamthong Haokip, 64, had served as the Saikul MLA, winning the seat twice in 2012 and 2017 on Congress tickets before switching to the BJP ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections.

Sapam Charubala (#Meitei) wife of Ex Saikul MLA Yamthong Haokip, a #Kuki killed in a bomb attack by #Kuki Militants.

RIP Sister 🙏

We strongly condemn this despicable attack, and urge both Kuki and Meitei communities to voice against such cowardly acts. pic.twitter.com/S86T7VcnRH

— Meitei Heritage Society (@meiteiheritage) August 11, 2024

According to Indian Express, a police officer from Kangpokpi district confirmed that the incident occurred around 3 pm on Saturday but was reported early Sunday morning. The officer further explained that a locally made IED had been placed among waste materials at the house.

Police Confirm Explosion Of Bomb After Waste Material Burned

“When the deceased burned the waste material, it exploded. Everybody else is okay. There are no other fatalities or injuries,” he said. As of Sunday, no arrests had been made.

The officer further suggested that the explosion might be linked to a family dispute, stating, "The former MLA had purchased some land adjacent to one of his uncles’ grandsons and there was a dispute. We suspect this was related to that. We are investigating the matter."

The second wife of Yamthong Haokip, Sapam Charubala, was injured in the blast. She was rushed to a health facility in Saikul but later succumbed to her injuries, the officials said, PTI reported. Yamthong was also present in the house when the blast took place but he was not injured in the incident.