Manipur Protests Government Inaction Amidst Escalating Drone Attacks

Manipur, September 6, 2024 — A human chain protest was staged across various locations in Manipur’s valley region today, criticizing both central and state governments for their perceived inaction amid a series of drone attacks. The protest, organized by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), highlighted frustration over the government’s handling of recent violence.

Demonstrators called for the withdrawal of central forces if they do not take decisive action and demanded that Kuki militants using drones for bombings be classified as terrorist groups. They labeled the drone attacks as acts of terrorism and voiced their dissatisfaction with the government’s response to the ongoing crisis.

One protester condemned the state and central governments for their ineffective approach to restoring peace, citing recent drone bombings in Koutruk and Kadangband, Imphal West, as evidence of escalating violence.

In a related development, suspected militants launched a bomb attack in Bishnupur district on September 6. Rockets fired from elevated positions in Churachandpur district targeted Tronglaobi, about 45 km from Imphal. While the attack damaged a community hall and an unoccupied room, no injuries were reported.

The protests and recent attacks underscore the growing unrest in Manipur, with increasing calls for more effective measures to address the violence and instability plaguing the region.