Imphal

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh condemned thefresh incident of violence in the state in which two people died and seven were injured, stating that the use of drones to drop bombs on civilians and security forces, "is an act of terrorism".

The Chief Minister also denounced these "cowardly attacks" in the strongest possible terms, emphasizing the need to unite together against hate, division and separatism.

"Dropping of bombs on civilian population and security forces by using drones is an act of terrorism and I condemn such cowardly acts in the strongest terms. Manipur state government takes such unprovoked assault with utmost seriousness and will take up necessary response to fight such forms of terrorism upon the indigenous population," Singh said in a post on X.

"We denounce all formsof violence, and the people of Manipur shall unite together against hate, division and separatism," he added.

The Chief Minister's comments come after an attack was reportedly carried out by the Kuki militants against Koutruk villagers on Sunday.

Congress MP A. Bimol Akoijam alleged that the fresh incident of violence in Manipur exposes the failure of the law enforcing agencies, particularly the armed forces under the Indian Government which are deployed in Manipur.

"This is no Ukraine. Thisis Manipur, one of the States of the Union! The latest round of criminal and deadly assault on the civilians in the central valley of Manipur, including using drones to bomb residential areas, exposes the failure of the law enforcing agencies, particularly the armed forces under the GoI which are deployed in Manipur," he said.

"Who is going to be made accountable for their actions or rather inactions? Should not the GoI take the moral or otherwise responsibility for these deaths and destruction," Bimol Akoijam added.

Earlier on Monday, Manipur Police confirmed that in a similar bomb attack using drones at Senjam Chirang Maning Leikai, Imphal West District, three civilians were injured. Security forces were sent to the area to repulse the attack.

The Manipur Police also stated that in Sunday's incident at Koutruk and other areas of Imphal West District, the Police Department responded in a timely manner. There was mobilisation of armed miscreants in many places which had seen intense conflictin the past. When the attack started in Koutruk, immediately IGP, DIG and SP and other police forces rushed into the area to counter the situation.

Retaliatory firing and combing operations along with Army and Central Forces were conducted. PHQ also gave instruction to all senior formations and all District SsP to remain vigilant, alert all forces in their respective districts and conduct joint operation by coordinating with Central Forces.

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The Police further stated that the situation is being closelymonitored and they also appealed to the public to exercise restraint and cooperate with the Police.