IT News
Imphal, Sept 3:
Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has strongly condemned the recent drone bombardment carried out by Kuki militants on Koutruk and Kadangband villages in Imphal West. Taking to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Chief Minister denounced the attacks as acts of terrorism, calling them “cowardly” and asserting that the state government would respond decisively.
“Dropping bombs on civilian populations and security forces using drones is an act of terrorism, and I condemn such cowardly acts in the strongest terms. The Manipur state government takes this unprovoked assault with utmost seriousness and will take the necessary response to fight such forms of terrorism upon the indigenous population. We denounce all forms of violence, and the people of Manipur shall unite together against hate, division, and separatism,” N. Biren Singh wrote on ‘X’.
The drone attacks, which began on August 31, have wreaked havoc across several villages in the periphery of Imphal East and Imphal West districts. Koutruk and Kadangband were among the hardest hit, with militants using drones to drop explosives on civilian areas, causing widespread panic and destruction. The militants also targeted other nearby villages, including Sinam, Sabungkhok Khunou, Thamnapokpi, Shanti Khongba, and Senjam Chirang, employing automatic weapons and explosives.
These attacks resulted in at least 11 injuries, with six women among the wounded. Tragically, a 35-year-old woman from Koutruk succumbed to her injuries, and her daughter remains in critical condition. The militants also destroyed an IRB post during the assault. Despite the severity of the attacks, which continued into the early hours of September 3, no official statements have been issued by central security forces or the state forces under Advisor Kuldiep Singh regarding the situation.
The Chief Minister’s condemnation comes amid rising tensions in the region, following a violent rally by Kuki communities in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts. The rally, held on August 31, demanded the creation of a Union Territory within Manipur. The following day, militants began their coordinated attacks on nearly eight villages in Imphal West, escalating the violence and further destabilizing the region.
The situation remains volatile, with the Manipur government now under pressure to take swift and decisive action to restore peace and security in the affected areas. The use of drones for bombing civilian areas marks a significant escalation in the conflict, raising concerns about the potential for further violence and the safety of residents in the region.
