By In India’s Manipur state, militants have killed two people using grenade-laden drones, marking a significant escalation in the region’s ongoing ethnic violence, police reported on Monday. The attack, which occurred on Sunday in the Imphal West district, involved Kuki militants targeting government forces. Police described the use of drones to deploy explosives as an “unprecedented” development in the conflict.
“This new tactic of using drones for explosive attacks against security forces and civilians represents a significant escalation,” said police in a statement. They also noted that the involvement of highly skilled individuals with technical expertise is likely.
The conflict in Manipur, which borders Myanmar, has intensified since May last year when clashes erupted between the Meitei Hindu majority and the Christian Kuki community. The violence, triggered by a government policy favoring the Meitei, has resulted in over 200 deaths and displaced around 50,000 people.
In a recent drone attack, a 31-year-old woman was killed and her eight-year-old daughter was injured. Six people were wounded in total, and several homes were damaged by the militants’ heavy shelling.
Manipur has been a hotspot for ethnic tensions, with the Meitei, who make up 53% of the population, holding significant political and economic power, while the Kuki and other tribal groups, residing in the hilly areas, have grievances over land and resources.
The region had experienced a brief period of calm since April, following the deaths of two paramilitary soldiers, but this recent drone attack suggests a potential worsening of the conflict.
Additionally, last year the Manipur High Court directed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party to recommend tribal status for the Meitei, a move opposed by the Kukis. If granted, this status would allow the Meitei to settle in the protected hill areas, further escalating tensions between the communities.
