Tension prevailed in several regions in Manipur, as drones were sighted in Bishnupur and Imphal East districts late last night. Earlier this week, drones were employed by militants in Imphal West district to drop bombs on people.
Drones were sighted at Narainsena, Nambol Kamong in Bishnupur district and Pukhao, Dolaithabi, Shantipur in Imphal East district, forcing panicked residents to switch off lights at their homes. The firing of flares in the sky in Bishnupur district added to the people's confusion and fear, as it was not known whether it was done by the security forces or not.
Security forces are on high alert following the drone sightings.
The development comes in the wake of rocket attacks yesterday, which killed one person and inured five others in Bishnupur district. The first rocket attack was reported around 4.30am at Tronglaobi, damaging two structures, while the second rocket fell in the compound of former chief minister Mairembam Koireng's residence in Moirang, killing a 72-year-old man, and injuring a 13-year-old girl and four others.
PTI quoted security personnel as saying that the "unguided" rocket missiles were locally improvised and were fired from Thangjing hill ranges of Churachandpur district towards the low-lying Moirang town.
Following the attacks, markets and shops were shut down in Moirang town and rest of the district and border areas of nearby districts of Manipur. Thousands of people across five districts of the Imphal Valley formed human chains to protest against the attacks. Schools will remain closed on September 7.
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a group of valley-based civil bodies, has declared a "public emergency" across the five districts of Imphal valley with immediate effect.
Ethnic violence in the state since May last year has left over 200 people dead and thousands homeless.
