In a recent surge of violence in the inter-district boundary areas of Manipur, two people were killed and ten others, including two police officers and a television reporter, were injured due to gunfire and bombings in Imphal West’s Koutruk region. The Manipur police reported that an unprecedented attack occurred in Koutruk, where alleged Kuki militants used advanced drones to launch multiple rocket-propelled grenades. A senior police officer estimated that around seven of these explosive devices were deployed against the village, reported The Indian Express.
According to the police statement, while drone use in warfare is not new, the recent application of drones to deploy explosives against both security forces and civilians represents a significant escalation. The involvement of highly skilled professionals with technical expertise and support is suspected. One of the deceased in the Koutruk attack was 35-year-old Nganbam Surbala, who was shot in the head. Her 11-year-old daughter also suffered a bullet injury to her right arm.
Details of the Attack
The shooting began around 2:00 pm on Sunday and continued until about 7:30 pm, with persistent tension till late night. Locals reported that houses in Koutruk were set on fire and many villagers were evacuated to safer areas, the IE report said.
Koutruk is a Meitei village in Imphal West district, near the border with the Kuki-Zomi-majority Kangpokpi district. It has been heavily affected by the ongoing conflict, experiencing frequent gunfire incidents.
Government’s Response
Manipur’s Director General of Police, Rajiv Singh, instructed all district Superintendents of Police to remain highly alert and maintain vigilance along border areas. He also emphasized the need for coordination between different security forces and the need for joint combing operations.
The Home Department of the Manipur government condemned the violence, describing it as an “act of terrorizing unarmed villagers.” They accused Kuki militants of trying to undermine the state’s peace efforts and promised immediate action to address the situation and punish those responsible.
This flare-up of violence in Manipur follows several months of relative calm between Meitei- and Kuki-Zomi-majority districts, which have been hotbeds of conflict since May. The last major incident before this was on April 27, when two CRPF personnel were killed and two others injured in Bishnupur district. The violence occurred a day after rallies organized by Kuki-Zo communities protesting the current Manipur government led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh.