Gunfight-drone-rocket attack kills 5 in northeastern Indian state

Fresh violence broke out in Jiribam and Bishnupur districts of Manipur, India's northeastern state. Drone and rocket attacks have also taken place in these two districts on Saturday. At least five people were killed and several others were injured, according to the country's government officials. All schools in the state have been declared closed due to fresh outbreak of violence.

A man was shot dead while sleeping in Manipur's Ziribam district on Saturday, French news agency AFP said. Later, four people were killed in the gunfight between the rebels and the law and order forces. All four were armed.

The man who was shot dead lived alone in an isolated area about 5 km from the district headquarters, Manipur Police said. The insurgents stormed his house and shot him dead while he was sleeping.

The killings were followed by a massive exchange of gunfire between the law enforcement agencies and the separatist armed groups in Manipur. At least four people lost their lives in this incident of firing about 7 km from the district headquarters. All the dead were members of a separatist group, police said.

Earlier, one person was killed in a rocket attack by separatists in Manipur on Friday. After this incident, the authorities announced the closure of all educational institutions in the state. A 72-year-old man was killed and five others injured in a rocket attack in Bishnupur district, police said. As a result, the violence-torn Manipur capital Imphal valley has become a major cause of tension.

Officials said insurgents fired at least two rockets on Friday. Among them, two structures were destroyed by a rocket in Bishnupur's Tranglaobi. And the second struck near the residence of former chief minister Myrembam Koireng in Mairang town.

Earlier this week, crude bombs were hurled at people at two locations near Imphal West district. In response to this incident, drone and rocket attacks are happening in Manipur.

Violence erupted between Manipur's majority Meite community and Kuki-Jo tribes in May last year. In that violence, more than two hundred people lost their lives and about 50 thousand people were displaced. Since then, violence has continued intermittently across the state, but this is the first time that drones and rockets have been used in the ongoing ethnic conflict.

People belonging to the majority Meite community formed a human chain in five districts of Imphal Valley on Friday to protest the terrorist attacks. Thousands of people from the state participated in this protest. On the same day, drone and rocket attacks took place. Manipur government has announced closure of all educational institutions in the state due to renewed conflict. Security has also been beefed up across the state.