New Delhi: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh convened an emergency cabinet meeting on Saturday in response to a surge in violence across the state over the past week.
The renewed unrest has claimed at least five lives during a gun battle between two communities in Manipur’s Jiribam district. Several others sustained injuries, with officials warning the casualty count could rise. On Friday, suspected militants launched a rocket attack on the residence of Manipur’s first chief minister, Mairembam Koireng Singh, resulting in one death and six injuries.
In retaliation, security forces destroyed three militant bunkers in the neighboring Churachandpur district, while military helicopters conducted aerial patrols to monitor the situation.
Amidst the rising tensions, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) spokesperson, Khuraijam Athouba, declared an indefinite public emergency, attributing the unrest to increased Kuki aggression. Athouba highlighted multiple incidents of drone bombings in Imphal West, resulting in casualties, and described recent missile attacks as among the deadliest carried out by the Chin-Kuki groups operating from the hilly regions.
“This escalation is beyond ordinary conflict,” Athouba stated. “Missile attacks from the hills have targeted the homeland of Mairembam Koireng Singh, destroying his statue and property. The central forces are vulnerable, and the situation is out of control.”
Inspector General of Police Intelligence, K Kabib, briefed officials on the security situation, reporting the recovery of nine sophisticated arms, 21 ammunition, explosives, grenades, and a wireless set. Anti-drone systems have been installed, and military helicopters are patrolling the area to identify the attackers. Additional anti-drone systems are being procured, and security forces are conducting intensified combing operations on both sides of the hill and valley regions to locate long-range rockets and drones.
Residents in the outskirts of Bishnupur and Imphal East switched off their lights on Friday night after reports of multiple drone sightings. Security forces remain on high alert, closely monitoring the movement of large groups in peripheral areas.
The recent surge in drone attacks began on September 1 in Koutruk village, Imphal West district, resulting in two deaths and nine injuries. A second drone attack occurred the following day in Senjam Chirang, about three kilometers away, injuring three more individuals.
As violence escalates, the Manipur government and security agencies are grappling with an increasingly complex situation, with efforts underway to stabilize the state and restore law and order.
