Explained: How weaponized drones are escalating Manipur crisis
What's the story
The ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur has taken a dangerous turn with the first-ever use of drones to drop bombs.
This development marks a significant escalation in the violence between the Meitei community and Kuki tribes.
Previously, drones were employed solely for reconnaissance purposes.
The Manipur Police reported that suspected Kuki insurgents used these high-tech devices to launch rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), targeting both security forces and civilians.
Context
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.
Attack aftermath
Drones drop bombs on Koutruk village, casualties reported
The attack on Koutruk village involved weaponized drones and long-range sniper rifles, as confirmed by top intelligence sources.
A 31-year-old Meitei woman was killed in the firing by suspected Kuki insurgents, and her 12-year-old daughter was among 10 people injured.
The injured also included two policemen and a local TV reporter.
Most of the injuries were caused by shrapnel from explosives dropped by drones.
Technical insights
Expert analysis on drone capabilities
However, experts have expressed skepticism about the police's claim that drones were used to fire RPGs.
They suggest that while drones can easily be modified to drop bombs, firing RPGs would require a much larger machine than those observed over Koutruk.
A retired officer explained that a drone capable of firing rockets would need to be military-grade and it's unlikely the drones seen on Sunday had this capability.
Historical usage
Drones' role in Manipur conflict predates recent attacks
The use of drones in the Manipur conflict predates these recent attacks.
Before May 2023, when clashes began, drones were commonly used for personal purposes like uploading videos on social media platforms.
However, after May 3, their usage pattern changed significantly as they started being used to scout "enemy" positions and plan attack or defense strategies.
Illegal activities
Drones sourced for terror groups amid ethnic conflict
In June, a man was arrested in Assam for allegedly procuring drone parts to supply to a terror group operating in Manipur's valley areas.
The same month, another individual was apprehended while attempting to smuggle 10 high-end drone batteries into Manipur for a terror group.
This incidents have raised concerns over the use of beyond line-of-sight, military-grade drones by armed groups amidst the Meitei-Kuki ethnic conflict.