2 killed as Manipur rebels open fire

Suspected tribal militants opened fire from hilltops on two villages in restive Manipur’s Imphal West district, killing a 31-year-old mother and an unidentified person in an attack that led the N Biren Singh govt to term it “an act of creating havoc to derail peace efforts”. Five people, including two police personnel and the slain woman’s eight-year-old daughter, were wounded. The militants used RPGs, drones to drop explosives, and sophisticated firearms in the attack, primarily targeting Koutruk and Kadangband Part II villages, officials said. The govt didn’t identify the militant outfit that it suspected to be behind the latest instance of violence in a state that has seen frequent killings, rioting, and arson since the ethnic conflict erupted in May last year. A total of 24 Kuki insurgent groups signed agreements for suspension of operations with the Centre and state in 2008. Manipur Police said the militants used drones to deploy explosives, marking “a significant escalation” in hostilities. It said the involvement of highly trained professionals, backed by technical expertise and support, couldn’t be ruled out. Villagers of Koutruk said explosives dropped from drones damaged the roofs of some houses. The attack came a day after police arrested a militant of the UPPK, a faction of PREPAK, from Thamnapokpi in Bishnupur district.