Manipur's ethnic conflict, ongoing for over 16 months, has taken a dangerous turn with the emergence of drone warfare. Suspected tribal militants used weaponized drones to target two Meitei-dominated villages, Koutruk and Kadangband, in Imphal West district on September 1. The attack, involving locally assembled drones and ammunition allegedly looted from police armories, resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including a woman, and marked a significant escalation in the state’s already volatile situation.
Drones: A New Weapon in Manipur’s Conflict
The drone offensive, launched from Kuki-Zo-inhabited hill areas, was supported with mortar fire, according to a government source. This new aerial threat comes amidst a backdrop of long-standing ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. The Kuki Inpi, a representative body of the Kuki tribes, termed the incident a "calculated attempt to ambush Kuki-Zo civilians", leading to a heavy exchange of fire between Meitei groups and Kuki-Zo volunteers.
The attack has sparked concerns over national security, as drones were used to drop explosives on civilian areas, a tactic previously unseen in the region. Former Assam Rifles Director General, Lt. Gen. (retd.) Pradeep Chandran Nair, noted that such drone usage was first observed in neighboring Myanmar in 2021, indicating a possible external influence or arms trade.
Security Forces and Government Response
Following the drone strikes, Manipur’s Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Singh visited the affected areas to assess the situation. He revealed that the security forces have been instructed to shoot anyone attempting to cross the buffer zones between the valley and hill areas to prevent further attacks. Singh stated that reinforcements, including Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Manipur Rifles, retaliated promptly during the attack, while some units, like the Border Security Force (BSF), faced criticism for their response.
To counter the new threat, DGP Singh confirmed that the National Security Guard (NSG) experts would soon arrive in Manipur to deploy countermeasures against the drones. A high-level committee led by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Ashutosh Kumar Sinha has also been formed to study the drone attacks and develop effective strategies to mitigate them.
Political Reactions and Call for Central Forces Withdrawal
The use of drones has ignited political tensions, with BJP legislator Rajkumar Imo Singh, son-in-law of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, calling for the withdrawal of the 60,000 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) currently deployed in the state. Singh argued that the deployment had failed to restore order and instead proposed that state forces should take charge to bring peace.
However, security experts, including senior journalist Pradip Phanjoubam, criticized Singh’s demand as “hasty” and “not properly thought out”, highlighting the complexities involved in the ongoing ethnic strife.
Escalating Violence: A Grim Outlook for Peace
The recent drone attacks come after months of relative calm, shattering the wanted peace and leading to fears of backed violence in the state. Phanjoubam stressed that while the technology to counter drones exists in Manipur, it has not been effectively utilized, suggesting a lapse in the security forces' preparedness.
With 226 lives lost and over 60,000 people displaced since the conflict began in May 2023, the use of drones marks a dangerous escalation in hostilities. The government and security forces face mounting challenges in addressing both ground and aerial threats in an already tense environment.
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Manipur on High Alert: Future Measures and Concerns
In light of the drone attacks, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh condemned the actions as “an act of terrorism” and called for decisive measures to protect citizens. Meanwhile, Congress criticized both the state and central governments for their perceived inaction, labeling the drone strikes a threat to national security and questioning the safety of key locations such as the Raj Bhavan and the Chief Minister's residence.
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.
— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) September 3, 2024
Manipur state government takes such unprovoked assault with utmost seriousness and will take up necessary response to…
As authorities work to understand the capabilities and origins of the drones, the conflict in Manipur has entered an uncertain phase. The situation demands urgent attention and coordinated efforts from both state and central governments to prevent further escalation and restore peace in the region.
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