Militants use grenade-laden drones to kill two in India’s Manipur

Violence escalated since May, with clashes between Meitei, Kuki communities, leaving over 200 dead, 50,000 displaced

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Militants use grenade-laden drones to kill two in India’s Manipur in India’s Manipur state have killed two people using drones armed with rocket-propelled grenades, police said on Monday, in what officials are calling a significant escalation in the ongoing ethnic violence that has gripped the region.

The attack occurred on Sunday in Imphal West district, where Kuki militants allegedly targeted government forces. Police described the use of drones to deploy explosives as an "unprecedented" development in the conflict.

"This recent deployment of drones to launch explosives against security forces and civilians is a significant escalation," police said in a statement. "The involvement of highly trained professionals, possibly with technical expertise and support, cannot be ruled out."

The violence in Manipur, which borders Myanmar, has intensified since clashes erupted in May last year between the Meitei Hindu majority and the Christian Kuki community. The conflict was sparked by a proposed government policy favouring the Meitei, leading to over 200 deaths and displacing around 50,000 people.

In the latest attack, a 31-year-old woman was killed, and her eight-year-old daughter was injured. Six people in total were wounded, and several homes were damaged due to the militants’ heavy shelling, according to police reports.

Manipur has been a flashpoint for ethnic tensions, with the Meitei, who make up 53 per cent of the population, holding significant political and economic power in the valley regions. In contrast, the Kuki and other tribal groups, who traditionally inhabit the hilly areas, have expressed grievances over land and resource distribution.

The situation in Manipur had seen a brief period of calm since April, following the deaths of two paramilitary soldiers. However, this recent drone attack signals a potential escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Last year, the Manipur High Court directed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to recommend the Meitei for tribal status, a move opposed by the Kukis. If granted, it would allow the Meitei to settle in the protected hill areas, further fuelling tensions between the communities.