First Drone Bomb Attack in Manipur Was Carried Out by Meitei Militants on December 16, 2023

On December 16, 2023, a drone attack in the Kuki-Zo community’s G. Songgel Village has highlighted significant concerns about the Manipur state government’s response and the impartiality of ongoing investigations into ethnic violence.

In a statement issued today, the Sangaikot Sub-Division Chief Association stated that at approximately 11:40 a.m. December 16, 2023, Meitei militants, reportedly affiliated with the People Liberation Army (PLA) and Arambai Tenggol (AT), deployed high-tech drones to drop a two-inch mortar bomb. The explosion caused severe damage to two residential houses near a local tea hotel and injured a pedestrian from Patjang village.

The local village chiefs promptly reported the incident to the Sangaikot Police Station in Churachandpur, providing the tail of the bomb for expert analysis. Despite widespread local and social media coverage, including extensive reporting on platforms like WhatsApp number investigation by the Home Department of Manipur has been reported to date. National media outlets have also remained silent on the attack.

The lack of investigation raises questions, particularly given recent incidents involving drone bomb attacks in Meitei-dominated areas such as Koutruk and Senjam Chirang, which have prompted serious consideration by the Home Department. Critics argue that the focus on Meitei areas, while neglecting the G. Songgel Village attack, suggests potential political bias or hidden agendas within the state’s governance.

Further complicating the situation is the reported return of Meitei Valley-based insurgent groups, known to have connections with Myanmar’s military junta. These groups, allegedly involved in clashes against the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) in Myanmar, may have brought foreign-made weapons into Manipur, intensifying the ethnic conflict.

The Kuki-Zo community perceives the drone attack as a possible ploy by these insurgent groups and their allies to create chaos and distract from allegations against Manipur’s Chief Minister, Shri N. Biren Singh. Singh is accused of being directly involved in the ongoing ethnic violence against the Kuki-Zo community.

In response to these concerns, the Director General of Police, Manipur, has established a High-Level Committee, led by Ashushto Kumar Sinha, IPS, under Order No. IC/11(168)/2014-PHQ dated September 2, 2024. However, there are calls for an independent investigation by external agencies such as the CBI or NIA to ensure transparency and prevent potential manipulation by state officials.

The Kuki-Zo community and other stakeholders have urged that the investigation remain free of state influence to uncover the truth behind the drone attacks and other related incidents. If not addressed with impartiality, the ongoing inquiry risks exacerbating existing tensions and complicating the path to resolution.