Monday, 16 September 2024
Monday, 16 September 2024
Thousands of residents across five districts of Imphal Valley formed human chains on September 5 to protest the recent drone and gun attacks in Manipur. These attacks, which resulted in the deaths of two civilians and injuries to twelve others, have sparked widespread condemnation and highlighted growing frustrations with the government’s response to the escalating conflict in the state.
Organised by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), the rally saw participants from all walks of life, including school and college students in uniform and women from various localities, joining forces. Key locations such as Thoubal Bazar, Lilong Chajing in Thoubal district, and Sekmai, Kwakeithel, and Singjamei in Imphal West district were transformed into hubs of protest.
The demonstrators, holding placards with messages like 'Drone bombing is an act of terrorism,' 'We condemn Manipur government's timidity,' 'Take action against Kuki terrorists,' 'Manipur's territorial and administrative integrity cannot be compromised,' and 'We want peace; save Manipur,' voiced their anger and demands for accountability. P Herojit Singh, a youth leader from Khurai in Imphal East district, condemned the attacks as 'unprovoked and targeted local villagers.' He emphasised the need for a strong response from both the central government and the international community. "The conflict has escalated from communal violence to terrorist attacks on civilians using sophisticated, high-tech weapons sourced from abroad," Singh remarked.
The protest brought daily life in Imphal Valley to a standstill, with major markets shuttered and vehicles off the roads. The recent introduction of drones as a weapon in the ongoing violence between the Meitei and Kuki ethnic groups—violence that has claimed over 200 lives since May 2023—has further intensified the situation.
The first use of drones in the conflict was recorded on September 1 in Koutruk village, where the combination of aerial and gun attacks resulted in significant casualties. As the conflict continues to unfold, these mass protests underscore the urgent need for effective intervention and lasting peace in Manipur.
