2 killed as Manipur rebels open fire, drop explosives from drones | Guwahati News – Times of India

GUWAHATI: Suspected tribal militants rained gunfire from hilltops on two villages in restive Manipur’s Imphal West district Sunday, killing a 31-year-old mother and an unidentified person in an attack that led the N Biren Singh govt to term it “an act of creating havoc to derail peace efforts”. Five people, including two police personnel and the slain woman’s eight-year-old daughter, were wounded.
The militants used RPGs, drones to drop explosives, and sophisticated firearms in the attack, primarily targeting Koutruk and Kadangband Part II villages, officials said.
The govt didn’t identify the militant outfit that it suspected to be behind the latest instance of violence in a state that has seen frequent killings, rioting, and arson since the ethnic conflict erupted in May last year. A total of 24 Kuki insurgent groups signed agreements for suspension of operations with the Centre and state in 2008.
The woman killed in the attack was identified as Ngangbam Surbala.
Manipur Police said the militants used drones to deploy explosives, marking “a significant escalation” in hostilities. It said the involvement of highly trained professionals, backed by technical expertise and support, couldn’t be ruled out.
Villagers of Koutruk said explosives dropped from drones damaged the roofs of some houses. Firing continued for several hours from noon till late afternoon from the hills, police said.
DGP Rajiv Singh ordered all district SPs to be on maximum alert and joint combing operations with state and central forces. A contingent of Central Armed Police Force and state personnel have been deployed in the affected zone.
Koutruk has a population of around 300 while Kadangband Part II has double the number of inhabitants.
The attack came a day after police arrested a militant of the UPPK, a faction of PREPAK, from Thamnapokpi in Bishnupur district. He was identified as Nameirakpam Ningthou Metei. Another person was held for extortion in the name of an armed outfit.
State BJP spokesperson T Michael Lamjathang Haokip’s house was vandalised and set ablaze in tribal-dominant Churachandpur district Saturday. It was the third attack on his house since the ethnic violence flared up.
The arson coincided with protests by tribal groups against chief minister Biren Singh, who they blamed responsible for the continuing crisis. The protesters cited a leaked audio clip that state govt calls “doctored” to slam CM for his policies.