SOURCE: UNI
Two persons, including a 32-year-old woman, were killed and about 10 people, mostly women and children, were injured as heavily armed Kuki militants launched a series of attacks here at Koutruk and other places on Sunday Two policemen were also injured, police said.
A journalist of a local television channel who was covering the incident at Koutruk was hit by a bomb which was dropped using drones. An outpost of the Indian Reserve Battalion was also torched by Kuki militants. The state government said it has taken up immediate action to control the situation and punish those involved in Sunday’s attack on Koutruk Village, Imphal West.
Manipur Police said that the militants deployed numerous rocket-propelled grenade (RPGs) using high-tech drones. While drone bombs have commonly been used in general warfares, this recent deployment of drones to deploy explosives against security forces and the civilians marks a significant escalation. The injured persons said heavy firing started from Kangpokpi district in which a woman was shot dead and her daughter injured. As people started fleeing to safer places, the Kuki militants dropped large numbers of bombs using drones.
Heavily armed militants came down from hills and burnt houses. The Kuki militants also took away six arms and ammunition. Most of the houses in the villages were destroyed as bombs fell on them. A series of attacks on villagers were also reported at Sekmai, Kadangband and Serou. People living in the valley areas are surrounded by hill areas which are dominated by Kukis.
Since the crisis started on May 3, 2023, people living in the valley areas have not been able to go out of the state using the highways. About 31 people who ventured into Kuki dominated areas are still missing while over 220 people have died and 60,000 displaced. Photographs and videos of Kuki militants attacking villagers using sophisticated weapons, drones also went viral in the state. Meanwhile, the Manipur Home department said such act of creating havoc among the unarmed villagers reportedly by Kuki militants is seen as an attempt to derail the efforts made by the state government to restore peace. The involvement of highly trained professionals, possibly with technical expertise and support, cannot be ruled out, police said.