MANIPUR, India — Schools across Manipur were ordered to close on September 7 following a rocket attack by insurgents that resulted in one death and six injuries. The closure was implemented to ensure the “safety of students and teachers” amid escalating violence in the region.
The northeastern state of Manipur has been plagued by conflict for over a year, primarily between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community. The violence has deepened existing ethnic divisions, disrupting previously harmonious coexistence.
The latest attack occurred in Bishnupur district, where a rebel group fired rockets, killing a 78-year-old man and injuring six others. The police attributed the assault to “Kuki militants” and reported that their response involved a robust counterattack against the assailants.
Local media identified the victim as having been at the residence of the late Mairenbam Koireng Singh, a former chief minister of Manipur. According to reports, the rockets appeared to be “improvised projectiles” made from galvanized iron pipes and explosives.
This incident follows a recent escalation in violence where insurgents used drones to drop explosives, killing a 31-year-old woman and injuring six people. This marked a significant increase in the scale and sophistication of attacks in the state.
The ongoing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities revolve around competition for land and public jobs. Rights activists accuse local leaders of exacerbating ethnic divisions for political gain, further fueling the conflict.