At least five people have been killed in fresh violence in Jiribam district, while just a day earlier, a terrorist rocket attack in Bishnupur claimed the life of an elderly man and injured five others. According to a police officer, terrorists stormed a village early Saturday morning and shot a man while he was sleeping. This led to a gunfight in which four armed individuals were killed. The violence is linked to ongoing ethnic clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur.
The conflict in Manipur has been ongoing for the past 17 months, and recent incidents have further intensified the violence. On Friday, terrorists used rockets for the first time in the attacks. According to Manipur police, Kuki militants fired “long-range rockets,” which were approximately four feet long and made from galvanized iron pipes. These rockets were launched from elevated areas.
Increased Security, Schools Closed
In response to the escalating violence, the Manipur government has ordered the closure of all schools across the state from September 7 to ensure the safety of students and staff. This decision follows the rocket attacks in Bishnupur district, one of which landed in the compound of former Chief Minister Mairembam Koijam’s house. The attack killed a 72-year-old man and left several others injured.
COCOMI’s Protest
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a coalition of civil organizations from the five districts of the Imphal valley, has declared a “state of emergency.” They have staged protests by forming human chains and criticized the government’s handling of the situation, demanding steps to ensure self-defense.
Use of Drone Bombing
Recent violence has also seen the use of drones, which were first employed on September 1 to drop bombs in Kautruk village. On Friday night, several drones were spotted in Bishnupur and Imphal East districts, spreading fear in the region. Security forces have since increased their presence and are monitoring the situation closely to maintain control.
Leave a Reply