In response to recent drone attacks by Kuki militants, the Manipur government has formed a high-level committee to address the emerging security threat. On Tuesday, DGP Rajiv Singh revealed that the state has sought the expertise of Delhi-based agencies, including the National Security Guard (NSG), to combat these attacks.
The drone assaults, which occurred along the Kangchup hill stretches, including Kadangband, Koutruk, and Senjam Chirang in Imphal on Sunday and Monday, resulted in the death of a 31-year-old mother, injuries to her daughter, and several others, including state forces personnel. Following the attacks, the DGP, accompanied by the Imphal West SP and other police officials, visited the affected sites and interacted with local villagers to assess the situation.
DGP Singh reported that the Manipur government has requested assistance from Delhi, emphasizing that the police department is actively engaged in extensive search operations at several attack sites. He described the drone attacks as a “new phenomenon” that demands immediate attention and assured that those responsible would be held accountable.
The DGP acknowledged the severity of the situation and noted that, in addition to the Assam Rifles, 198 companies of central forces are currently deployed in Manipur. He indicated that additional forces are necessary, as state forces alone cannot manage the ongoing crisis. Singh also warned that any forces failing to perform their duties effectively would be removed.
Villagers expressed frustration over the perceived inaction of central forces and criticized their response during the attacks. They argued that the use of military-grade equipment and drone bombing by Kuki militants constitutes a serious escalation, and called for increased state force deployment and advanced drone countermeasures, such as drone jammers.
On Monday, a drone was recovered from Kharam Vaiphei in Kangpokpi district, a Kuki-dominated area. Additionally, an unexploded bomb dropped by militants was discovered near a Manipur Rifles bunker at Kadangband Part II. Villagers reported that more unexploded bombs might be in the area. Efforts to locate and defuse the remaining bombs were ongoing, though the bomb squad had not yet arrived at the scene at the time of the report.
