Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh met governor L.P. Acharya for the second time since Saturday evening to discuss the emerging security challenges in the wake of the renewed violence as central and state forces began beefing up its arsenal to counter “aerial strikes” in civilian areas.

At least six persons were killed in a gunfight between suspected Kuki militants and Meitei village volunteers in Manipur’s Jiribam district on Saturday morning, against the backdrop of a week of unprecedented drone and rocket attacks in the strife-hit state.

Sunday’s meeting between the governor and the chief minister, accompanied by MLAs from the BJP-led ruling coalition, lasted nearly 90 minutes. On Saturday, Biren Singh had been closeted with Acharya for about 45 minutes.

Officials and BJP leaders were tight-lipped about what transpired at the two meetings and the contents of the memorandum submitted by the Biren Singh-led delegation.

The Raj Bhavan released a brief statement that said: “Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, along with the Speaker, Council of Ministers, and ruling MLAs, met with the Governor of Manipur, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, at Raj Bhavan in Imphal today and submitted a memorandum.”

BJP sources in Imphal said one “probable request/ demand” of the ruling MLAs was the handing over of the charge of the Unified Command to the state government for effective management of the situation and early restoration of peace.

Currently, security adviser Kuldiep Singh is heading the command, which plans and executes steps to monitor the law and order situation and other related issues in the state that has been in turmoil since the ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Zos and Meiteis began on May 3, 2023, leaving at least 234 dead and over 60,000 displaced.

Meitei organisations and BJP leaders have been seeking a more active role from the state government.

The Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (Cocomi) had on Saturday iterated its demand for the resignation of the security adviser and director-general of police Rajiv Singh, who were appointed by the state government on the “recommendations” of the Centre.

Cocomi, an influential conglomerate of leading Meitei-based civil society organisations, said Kuldiep and Rajiv needed to resign because they had been “unable” to contain the unrest even after 16 months and also check the rise in aerial attacks, dropping of bombs from drones and the use of rocket-propelled bombs, which have fuelled fear and anger among the public. Cocomi has also sought a more active role for the state government in restoring peace.

However, the demand for handing over the Unified Command’s charge to the state government headed by Biren Singh could put the Centre in a bind. Kuki-Zo organisations will oppose either Biren Singh or any police officer from the state cadre heading the command, which has personnel from both central and state forces.

The Kuki-Zos blame Biren Singh for the prevailing turmoil in the state. They also blame Meitei radical groups for the recent drone attacks.

The other “demand/request” in the memorandum could be the abrogation of the Suspension of Operations pact signed between the government and Kuki-Zo militants, sealing of the India-Myanmar border, deportation of illegal migrants and the implementation of the National Register of Citizens. The Meiteis blame the influx from Myanmar for the current turmoil, among others.

The chief minister’s meetings with Acharya come in the wake of at least three “bombings” — two in Imphal West district where bombs were dropped using drones on Sunday and Monday, and one in which “long-range” rocket bombs were used in Bishnupur district on Friday.

Two civilians have died and over 12 injured in these attacks, which, according to the police, were carried out by suspected Kuki militants from the hills inhabited by the Kuki-Zo people.

Manipur police said on Saturday night: “AR (Assam Rifles) has deployed a few anti-drone systems in the state in fringe areas to repel any rogue drones. The CRPF has also tested one anti-drone system and given it to the force deployed in the state.”

It added: “Some more anti-drone guns are being brought to the state by the CRPF shortly. The state police has also started the process of procurement of anti-drone systems to enhance its security measures and tackle threats from drones effectively.”

Anti-drone systems are solutions that detect and disable threats from drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles.