While village defense groups have been armed with sniper rifles inside the villages, the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) has been patrolling the foothill areas. Drone and rocket assaults by alleged Kuki militants have shaken Manipur in recent days, killing numerous civilians as well as security personnel. Following ethnic hostilities between Kukis and Meiteis since May 3 of last year, the northeastern state was gradually returning to normalcy until the latest wave of violence occurred.
India Today TV went to Jiribam and other foothill villages where drone and rocket assaults took place. The Koutruk area in the Imphal West district bore witness to acts of brutality akin to a war zone. The location featured broken bombs, black and white ash on the ground, collapsing tin roofs, and demolished cars and homes.
Heightened Security In Manipur
Numerous law enforcement agencies have deployed to the state’s high-crime zones, urging residents to stay inside due to the possibility of additional attacks.
While village defense groups have been armed with sniper rifles inside the villages, the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) has been patrolling the foothill areas.
To defend their villages against firings and drone assaults, the village defense groups built bunkers. Additionally, they have sent out spotters, who locate the locations of the gunfire using long-range binoculars.
Aside from that, the guards’ camp is equipped with barrel weapons, bulletproof jackets, and state-of-the-art walkie-talkie sets.
Villagers Build Bunkers To Shield Against RPG Attacks
Speaking under the pseudonym, a volunteer for village defense explained that he was staying in the bunker to defend his hamlet from rocket assaults.
Before last year, local pipes were used to create pump guns, which had a far shorter range for firing rockets. However, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), which have a very long range of attack, are being used in the current strikes. RPGs and expensive assault rifles are among the weaponry that security personnel are removing from various locations while performing combing operations.
In the meantime, there was a protest in Imphal, when demonstrators marched toward the governor’s mansion while brandishing torches. The demonstrators attempted to enter the governor’s mansion while chanting anti-new wave of violence chants but were driven out by the security guards positioned there.
Manipur CM Seeks Authority
In the meantime, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh met with the Governor and made a demand to be given back control over the state’s security.
Currently, the Union Home Ministry’s security advisor, who is nominated by the central government, is in charge of maintaining law and order and providing security.
Manipur Police have reportedly deployed anti-drone equipment in the area in response to the recent attacks, and they are currently in the process of acquiring additional anti-drone guns and systems.
The ongoing violence in the northeastern state between the Meitei and Kuki factions, which has taken over 200 lives so far, has a new face as a result of the increase in drone and rocket strikes.
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