Imphal: The Manipur Government has issued a strong condemnation of the Sunday attack on Koutruk Village in Imphal West, where suspected Kuki militants used drones, bombs, and advanced weapons, leading to the deaths of two people, including a woman, and injuring several others.
In an official statement, the State Government expressed grave concern over the incident, calling it a serious act of terrorism against unarmed villagers. “Such act of terrorizing unarmed villagers is viewed very seriously, especially as the State Government is working to restore normalcy and peace,” the statement said. The attack is seen as an attempt to disrupt the ongoing peace efforts in Manipur.
The Government assured the public that immediate measures have been taken to control the situation and pledged to hold those responsible accountable.
The Manipur Police also issued a statement detailing the attack, noting that the suspected militants used drones to deploy multiple RPGs, marking a significant escalation in violence. “This recent deployment of drones to deploy explosives against security forces and the civilians marks a significant escalation,” the police stated. They also indicated that the involvement of highly trained professionals with technical expertise and possible external support is being considered.
The police confirmed that 31-year-old Ngangbam Surbala was among the victims, succumbing to bullet wounds. Her 8-year-old daughter was also injured, along with two police officers and three other civilians.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and the police are prepared to respond to any further developments. The public has been urged to remain calm and show restraint. “Combing operations are underway to eliminate any remaining threats,” the police added.
Following the unrest, the Manipur Government has ordered increased security operations, including combing and sanitizing efforts in fringe areas near Imphal West. The directive also instructs the Director General of Police to target the stretch from Keithelmanbi to Koutruk and to swiftly apprehend those responsible for the unrest.
