Manipur villagers forced to flee homes after drone attacks
Residents of Senjam Chirang in Manipur have been forced to abandon their homes following a drone attack that injured three people. The incident occurred on Monday evening when a drone dropped three bombs on the village. The first bomb damaged an empty cowshed, while the second and third explosives injured a local farmer, Watham Gambhir, and his family members.
Why does this story matter?
Manipur has been embroiled in ethnic violence since May 2023 after a Tribal Solidarity March was organized in the hill districts to protest the Meiteis' demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Meiteis—who make up 53% of the population—are largely limited to the Imphal Valley. In comparison, tribal-dominated hill areas reportedly cover 90% of Manipur. Migration from Bangladesh and Myanmar has compounded the problem in Imphal. This has driven Meiteis to demand ST status to have access to tribals' lands.
New warfare tactic in Manipur
Drones are a new addition to the weapons used in the ongoing violence between two major ethnic groups in the northeastern state. This new warfare tactic was first observed on Sunday in Koutruk village, Imphal West district, where a similar attack resulted in two deaths and nine injuries. Notably, the violence has claimed over 200 lives since May last year.
Manipur government responds to drone attacks
In response to these incidents, Chief Minister Biren Singh has condemned the use of drones for bombing civilians and security forces, labeling it as terrorism. The state government has also imposed restrictions on the import of drones or their components. Despite these measures, fear continues to grip the affected communities with around 10 families from Senjam Chirang seeking refuge in a nearby community hall.
Drones weaponized for surveillance
Prior to the outbreak of violence, drones were primarily used for recreational purposes in Manipur. However, with the escalation of the ethnic conflict, these devices have been weaponized for surveillance and tracking movements. A government official stated that only an expert could confirm whether the drones used in recent attacks were imported from outside India. According to security sources, these drones frequently appear over villages near the foothills to monitor "enemy" positions and plan attacks or defenses.
