The recent surge in violence in Manipur has claimed the lives of five people, following clashes between Kuki and Meitei groups early on Saturday. The incident occurred in Jiribam district, and state officials are currently investigating the attack.
Incident Details
The violence began around 5 a.m., during which a volunteer from a Meitei village was killed. His identity has not yet been revealed. According to police, four more armed individuals died in subsequent gunfire. Reports indicate that an assailant entered the house of a lone resident and shot him while he was asleep. This incident took place in a remote area, approximately 5 kilometers from the district headquarters. Following this murder, heavy gunfire ensued between armed groups from both communities in the surrounding hill regions, resulting in the deaths of four people, three of whom were alleged militants from the hill area.
Prior Attacks
A day earlier, suspected militants launched two rockets in Bishnupur district, killing one person and injuring five others. The increasing use of high-tech attacks, such as these rocket strikes, has created a tense atmosphere in the Imphal Valley.
Drone Attacks
Before the rocket attacks, drones were used to drop bombs in two locations in Imphal West district earlier this week, marking the first use of drones in the region. Since ethnic violence erupted in May last year, more than 200 people have died, and thousands have been displaced. On Friday, thousands of people in five districts of the Imphal Valley formed a human chain to protest against the escalating terror attacks.
Due to the bombings, the Manipur government has announced the closure of schools starting from September 7. Officials reported that the first rocket strike occurred in Tonglaobi, Bishnupur district, on Friday. The second rocket was launched at the residence of former Chief Minister Mairembam Koireng in Moirang, killing an elderly man and injuring five others.
Security on High Alert
A central security force official informed PTI that security forces are on high alert, with forces deployed along the borders of valley districts, particularly in the Bishnupur-Churachandpur and Imphal West-Kangpokpi boundary areas. Authorities confirmed that the rockets were locally made and launched from the Thangjing hills in Churachandpur district.
Following the rocket attacks, markets and business establishments in Moirang and Bishnupur districts were shut down. The Friday attack near the historic INA headquarters claimed the life of 72-year-old RK Rabei Singh and left five others injured.
First Use of Drone Bombings
The first drone bombing was reported on September 1 in the village of Kautruk, Imphal West district, killing two people and injuring nine others. Another drone attack was carried out the next day, three kilometers away in Senjam Chirang.
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