Drones, RPG attacks and a scene of terror in Manipur… Ground report from Vishnupur amid violence

Even after a year of Manipur violence, peace has not been restored in this northeastern state. Protests are continuously happening on the streets. Firing is taking place in many areas. After the attack on the CRPF camp in Kangpokpi district on September 8, massive protests can be seen on the streets of Imphal. People in Moirang area of ​​​​Bishnupur are forced to live in the shadow of fear.

Earlier on September 6, there was an attempt to loot weapons outside the office of the 2nd Battalion of Manipur Rifles in Imphal. On September 9, students took out a protest march on the streets of Imphal and tried to surround the house of the Governor and the Chief Minister. On September 1, there was a drone attack on West Imphal, while on September 6, Vishnupur district, the worst affected by the violence, was attacked with an RPG.

There was an RPG attack in Moirang area of ​​Vishnupur district, in which the rocket fell on the residence of Manipur’s first Chief Minister M Koirang, killing one person. The explosion was so intense that pieces of the rocket broke on the walls and scattered here and there.

Former CM Koirang’s grandson Kelvin told Aaj Tak that he heard the sound of a supersonic explosion and he had gone to another part of the house just before the explosion. If this had not happened, his name would also have been included among those who died.

Let us tell you that the area of ​​Moirang is 8 to 10 kilometers away from the hilly areas in Vishnupur district. The rockets hitting at such a distance show what kind of weapons are being used in Manipur now.

Three kilometers ahead of Moirang, in Tranglabi village of Vishnupur district, a massive explosion took place here too at 4:30 am on 6 September. The intensity of the attack was so high that the entire wall of the toilet behind the house collapsed and pieces of the rocket were seen on the surrounding walls. Since it was morning time, most of the family members were sleeping in a safe place in the house, which the rocket could not penetrate, but the part which was weak, the marks of the rocket are visible.

Priya, a local resident, says that when the blast happened, everyone got up in fear. The panic still persists because it is not known when such an attack will happen again.

Let us tell you that for the last 16 months, the people of Manipur are waiting for peace to be restored because life has come to a standstill. Means of livelihood have completely stopped. The future is in danger and the concern is to save lives. Priya says that the people here are in mental trauma and are completely ruined financially because the government is neither able to stop the violence nor is able to help the people in the affected areas. She asks how long will we live in this condition?

Why is the violence not stopping?

The most important question is why the violence in Manipur is not stopping? There are many reasons for this. In simple terms, this entire fight is between two ethnic groups, Kuki and Meitei. Most of the Meitei community people live in the valley while the Kuki community people live in the mountains. After the violence, these two communities have almost stopped visiting each other’s places. This separation is also a big reason for the violence not stopping.

Due to the different locations of both, the entire area has turned into a border. According to the report, both have built safe bunkers for themselves. Both have a large amount of weapons. Due to which, whenever they get a chance, they attack each other and then hide in the bunker. Due to the valley and hills, it is difficult to stop them.