Update: Fresh violence erupted in Manipurs Jiribam district on Saturday morning, leaving six people dead, according to police reports.One individual was fatally shot while asleep in his isolated home, located approximately 5 km from the district headquarters. Following this, four armed assailants were killed in a subsequent exchange of fire, a police officer confirmed.The victim, who lived alone, was attacked by militants who infiltrated his residence during the night, leading to his death while he slept, the officer added.In the latest outbreak of violence in Manipur, three individuals have been killed in Jiribam district, exacerbating the ongoing ethnic conflict in the region. This surge in violence follows a recent attack by militants who launched rockets at two locations in Bishnupur district, resulting in the death of an elderly man and injuries to five others.According to a security officer stationed in Manipur, the number of casualties may rise as the situation develops. The skirmishes began early in the morning when militants entered a village and killed a resident. This violence is part of the ongoing ethnic clashes. The situation remains volatile, with casualties reported from both Kuki and Meitei communities, the officer stated.It is important to note that the conflict in Manipur has intensified over the past 18 months, but recent events have further escalated tensions. In the past five days, the violence has reached new levels with the introduction of advanced weaponry.Rocket attacks and security responseOn Friday night, shortly after the elderly mans death, mobs in Imphal attempted to seize weapons from the headquarters of the 2 Manipur Rifles and 7 Manipur Rifles. However, security forces successfully thwarted these attempts. This attack marked the first recorded use of rockets in Manipur since the onset of the conflict 17 months ago, following a recent trend of weaponizing drones. Manipur police confirmed that Kuki militants employed long-range rockets during the assault.Impact and official responseIn response to the escalating violence, the Manipur administration has ordered the closure of all educational institutions across the state on Saturday. The conflict, which has been marked by ethnic strife between Kukis and Meiteis since May 3 last year, has seen a shift towards more destructive technologies like drones and rockets, adding to the already severe situation involving rifles and grenades.A senior officer revealed that the rockets used in Fridays attacks were approximately four feet in length.Khuraijam Athouba, spokesperson for the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), criticized the increase in Kuki aggression and the recent missile attacks. “There has been a significant rise in Kuki aggression. The recent drone bombings and missile attacks are among the deadliest. The Chin-Kuki narco-terrorist groups have targeted the homeland of Mairembam Koireng Singh, the first chief minister of Manipur, destroying his statue and property. The situation is dire, with central forces struggling to manage security. COCOMI has declared an indefinite public emergency and urges everyone to seek refuge in safer areas.”#WATCH | Bishnupur, Manipur: Khuraijam Athouba, spokesperson of the Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), says, There has been an increase in Kuki aggression... There have been incidents of drone bombing in the last few days... There were two missile attacks… https://t.co/6l7WUowyOn pic.twitter.com/2Ghy990yBO— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2024
