IT News
Imphal, Oct 17:
As Meitei, Kuki, and Naga MLAs gathered in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the restoration of peace in Manipur, a fresh attack was reported from Koutruk Ching Leikai in the state. According to the police, the incident occurred around 11:10 p.m., when alleged attackers from the Kuki community launched gunfire and bombs at the village.
State security forces stationed in the area responded with several rounds of gunfire. A senior officer from the Imphal West district police said, “Some suspected Kuki militants were seen with torches coming down from nearby hills. The police fired rounds into the air, but the armed miscreants retaliated by firing towards the security forces.” The exchange of gunfire continued until around 2 a.m. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in this latest skirmish.
Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), in collaboration with Manipur Police, has initiated its investigation into the drone bombing case involving Koutruk village. This marks the NIA’s first on-site investigation since taking over the case on September 19.
The case centers on the September 1 attack, when suspected Kuki militants targeted Koutruk village, killing 31-year-old Ngangbam Surbala and injuring her minor daughter. The attack was the first instance of drone bombings in the conflict-ridden state, specifically targeting a Meitei community village. Koutruk was hit again on September 2, marking the second drone bombing incident.
On the same day, another drone bombing was reported at around 4:10 a.m., when Kuki militants used drones, mortars, and gunfire to attack the 8th Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) bunker near Sinam Khul in Imphal East.
Manipur has been grappling with violence since May 3, 2023, resulting in the deaths of at least 221 people and the displacement of around 60,000. More than 13,000 structures have been destroyed, and thousands of arms and ammunition looted from state armories remain unrecovered. However, police forces are continuing their efforts to retrieve the stolen weapons.
