In a recent escalation of violence in Manipur, at least three individuals have been killed in Jiribam district. This new wave of violence comes on the heels of a deadly rocket attack in Bishnupur, where an elderly man was killed and five others were injured.
According to a security officer stationed in Manipur, the number of casualties may rise. The violence began early in the morning when militants entered a village and killed a resident. The ongoing clashes are part of the ethnic violence that has plagued the state. The casualties reported include individuals from both the Kuki and Meitei communities.
The conflict in Manipur has intensified over the past 17 months, with the situation deteriorating significantly in the last five days. On Friday night, following the killing in Bishnupur, mobs in Imphal attempted to raid the headquarters of the 2 Manipur Rifles and 7 Manipur Rifles. Security forces managed to thwart these attempts.
Friday’s rocket attack represents the first known use of rockets in the state since the onset of the conflict. This development comes just six days after drones were first weaponized. Manipur police reported that Kuki militants used long-range rockets in the attack. The rockets, described as being at least four feet long, were reportedly made from galvanized iron pipes filled with explosives and launched from makeshift rocket launchers.
In response to the surge in violence, the Manipur administration has ordered all educational institutions across the state to remain closed on Saturday. The conflict, which began on May 3 of the previous year, has seen an increase in the use of advanced weaponry, including drones and rockets, adding a new dimension to the ongoing violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities.
The use of these new technologies indicates a shift in tactics by the militants, who have been practicing with these weapons during periods of relative calm. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing clashes and the potential for further escalation as both sides continue to engage in violent confrontations.
