Manipur: Five killed in fresh rocket attacks and drone bombings in Jiribam
- In Reports
- 02:18 PM, Sep 07, 2024
- Myind Staff
On September 7th, a clash between Kuki and Meitei groups in Jiribam district resulted in the deaths of five individuals amidst a new wave of violence in the northeastern state. According to police reports, one person was killed while asleep, and four other armed individuals died during a subsequent exchange of gunfire. The deceased individual, who lived alone in a remote area approximately 5 kilometers from the district headquarters, was shot in his sleep by militants who had entered his house.
Following the initial killing, a fierce exchange of gunfire erupted between armed members of the conflicting communities in the hills, about 7 kilometers from the district headquarters. This intense firefight resulted in the deaths of four armed individuals, including three militants based in the hills. This incident occurred just one day after suspected militants launched two rockets in Bishnupur district, which resulted in one death and five injuries. The situation has heightened tensions in the Imphal Valley region, which has already been reeling from recent high-tech attacks.
The recent rocket attacks followed an earlier incident in which drones were used to drop bombs on people in two locations within Imphal West district, marking a new escalation in the state's violence. Since ethnic clashes began in May last year, more than 200 people have died and thousands have been displaced. In response to the escalating violence, thousands of residents across five districts in the Imphal Valley formed human chains on Friday to protest the militant attacks.
In light of the unrest caused by the bombings, the Manipur government announced the closure of schools on September 7. Officials reported that the first rocket attack occurred in Tronglaobi, Bishnupur district, while the second rocket landed in the compound of former Chief Minister Mairembam Koireng's residence in Moirang town. This latter attack resulted in the death of an elderly man and injuries to five others.
According to a central security force official speaking to PTI, security forces are on high alert and have been deployed to the peripheries of the valley districts, particularly in areas like Bishnupur bordering Churachandpur and Imphal West bordering Kangpokpi. The official noted that the “unguided” rocket missiles used in the recent attacks were improvised locally and fired from the elevated Thangjing hill ranges in Churachandpur district towards the lower-lying Moirang town.
In response to the rocket attacks, all markets and business establishments in Moirang town, the rest of Bishnupur district, and border areas of nearby districts have been closed. The September 6th rocket attack resulted in the death of 72-year-old RK Rabei Singh and injured five others near the historic INA headquarters.
The use of drones as weapons in Manipur was first recorded on September 1 in Koutruk village, Imphal West district, where an attack involving both drones and firearms resulted in two deaths and nine injuries. The next day, a similar remote-controlled drone was used in an attack in Senjam Chirang, located about three kilometres away.
Image source: Hindustan Times
Comments