Imphal: Manipur is tense again with the killing of five persons, including four militants and one civilian in fresh violence that rocked Jirbham district on Saturday. Following a week of renewed violence, Manipur CM N Biren Singh called an emergency cabinet meeting on Saturday to review the situation.
On Friday, suspected militants launched rocket attacks at the residence of Manipur's first chief minister Mairembam Koireng, killing one and injuring six others. Security forces in response destroyed three bunkers in the neighboring Churachandpur district and aerial patrolling was conducted using a military helicopter.
Additionally, the spokesperson of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), Khuraijam Athouba, declared an indefinite public emergency citing increased Kuki aggression in the region.
"The escalation of Kuki aggression has increased double-fold again. Over the past few days there were several incidents of drone bombing in Imphal West, killing several people and injuring many others, and today again there have been two missile attacks, which have been shot from a very long range around 7 kilometres. It is being considered one of the deadliest attacks by the Chin-Kuki narco-terrorist groups who had taken refuge in the surrounding hilly areas," said Athouba.
"There has been an increase in Kuki aggression… There have been incidents of drone bombing in the last few days… There were two missile attacks today… It has targeted the home land of Mairembam Koireng Singh, the first chief minister of Manipur. His statue and property have been destroyed… The situation is out of control. This is not an ordinary attack, because the missile has travelled from the hills to reach this place. The central forces who are being deployed in the foothill areas to take care of the Kuki armed groups from doing any sort of aggression are completely vulnerable," he added.
#WATCH | Imphal, Manipur: IGP Intelligence K Kabib says, “Today morning, in two combing operations, a good number of sophisticated arms and ammunitions, explosives, grenades were recovered… Combing operations are aimed at preventing further attacks from the suspected areas… A… pic.twitter.com/xDgx4Dy08C
— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2024
Arms and Ammunition Recovered
The inspector general of police intelligence K Kabib briefed about the security situation and said that over nine sophisticated arms, 21 ammunition, 21 explosives, grenades and a wireless set has been recovered.
He further informed that anti-drone systems have been installed and an army chopper is patrolling to identify the miscreants.
"Our ADG and IG are deployed on the ground in Bishnupur, Jiribham and Imphal… An anti-drone system is deployed… State police are in the process of purchasing more anti-drone systems and anti-drone guns… An army chopper is also patrolling… We have activated our social media monitoring cell to check the instigators… We have found that there are some instigators who… play with the emotions of the public… and create lawlessness," he said.
"The combing operations on both sides, hill and valley, are intensified focusing on the long-range rockets and…drones… The combing operations will cover a minimum of 3-5 km… The 'nakas' are also being strengthened," he added.
Lights Go Off Amid Drone Attacks
After multiple drone sightings, residents switched off light in the outskirts of Manipur's Bishnupur and Imphal East districts on Friday. This comes after the recent incidents where militants used drones to drop bombs on people in two nearby locations in Imphal West district.
The first instance of drones being used as a weapon in Manipur was reported on September 1 in Koutruk village, Imphal West district. Guns were also used in the attack killing two persons and injuring nine others.
The following day, another drone attack occurred in Senjam Chirang, approximately three kilometers away, resulting in injuries to three individuals.
Violence first erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023 between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki communities over the potential sharing of economic benefits and quotas in government jobs and education. The unrest in the northeastern state, which has resulted in more than 200 dead and tens of thousands displaced.