The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation into the recent drone attacks in Imphal West district, Manipur where a woman was killed while 11 others were injured.
The attack occurred earlier in September and is suspected to be linked to the ongoing ethnic violence between the two particular communities.
The NIA requested the Manipur police department to hand over all relevant documents and evidence related to the case.
The NIA took up the case in response to the state government’s handling of the case to find an in-depth investigation into the case on the involvement of alleged armed miscreants.
As the case has been taken up, the NIA also filed an application before the Special Court of NIA to direct the Manipur police department to hand over the related documents, case diaries and seized materials under different sections of law.
The relative calm in Manipur for the past four-five months was disrupted on September 1 when Kuki terrorists attacked Koutruk Ching Leikai and Kadangband Part-1 by dropping bombs from drones and firing.
Koutruk village located at Imphal West had been continually attacked by Kuki militants since the beginning of the crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023.
The attack using drones warfare, which is extensively being used by rebel forces in the Myanmar conflict, raised strong suspicions that the Kuki militants are either getting technical support and training from Myanmar militants or they are directly involved in the Manipur crisis.
Manipur police stated that the recent deployment of drones to deploy explosives against security forces and the civilians marks a significant escalation in the conflict.
Besides drones, attacks on civilian areas escalated with Kuki terrorists firing a rocket at Moirang Mairembam Leikai in Bishnupur district, resulting in the death of one man and injuries to five others.
The rocket exploded at the premises of former chief minister of Manipur Mairembam Koireng. Kuki terrorists also fired rockets at Tronglaobi Makha Leikai under Moirang Police Station in Bishnupur district.
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