Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday announced that the government will take up necessary response to fight the drone strikes on villagers by Kuki terrorists, stating that the act of bombing on civilian population is an act of terrorism upon the indigenous people.
An unprecedented drone bombing by the Kuki militants at Koutruk village in Imphal West district on Sunday resulted in the killing of one woman and injuring 16 other civilians. In the following day, another 3 were injured in a similar drone bombing at Senjam Chirang, a village located next to Koutruk village of Imphal West district.
Earlier on Monday, an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) post at Meikan near Sinam, Imphal East district was attacked by Kuki militants with drones and firing of bombs from mortars. The Kuki militants decamped with three assault rifles including one AK, one INSAS and one INSAS LMG from the post.
Meanwhile, Manipur Police along with central security forces seized a drone from Kharam Vaiphei, Kangpokpi district (a Kuki dominated area) along with arms, ammunition and explosives.
N Biren Singh took to X, expressing his condemnation of the drone strikes with a post:
“Dropping of bombs on civilian population and security forces by using drones is an act of terrorism and I condemn such cowardly acts in the strongest terms. Manipur state government takes such unprovoked assault with utmost seriousness and will take up 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.”
DGP, Rajiv Singh along with some senior Manipur Police officials on Tuesday visited Kadangband, Koutruk and Senjam Chirang where drone bombing attacks were carried out since Sunday.
Strongly reacting against the drone bombings at several areas in Imphal West and Imphal East since Sunday, Works minister Govindas Konthoujam posted on Facebook, “Manipur is not Ukraine! Yet the terror we face is real. Drone bombs, sniper attacks and the sinister spread of lies like general warfare- these are not just acts of violence in one state; they are attacks on India’s sovereignty. Our national security is under siege. Will we let Non-State Actors dictate our fate?”
“…These attacks are strongly condemned. India must rise to protect its people and ensure peace.”
Govindas Konthoujam is also one of the BJP MLAs of the Biren-led government.
