Imphal: Violence has been continuing in Manipur for the last several days. Since May, more than 200 people have been killed and thousands have become homeless in ethnic violence between the Meiteis in the Imphal valley and the Kukis in the surrounding hills. Manipur Director General of Police Rajiv Singh has given a statement regarding this, he said, the police alone cannot deal with the situation in the violence-affected state and the continuous assistance of central forces is required.

The conflict took a new turn recently when militants deployed drones to launch bomb attacks on villages of the rival community. Two people have been killed and 12 others injured in two drone and gun attacks in Sejam Chirang and nearby Koutruk in Imphal West district in the last two days.

How will Manipur compete with drones?

Singh said the Manipur police will do everything in its capacity to counter the drones. Speaking to reporters after visiting the Koutruk and Kadangband areas, he said, "This is a new development and things have escalated. We are taking it very seriously."

A committee was formed to investigate

He said, 'We have spoken to the NSG (National Security Guard), more experts are coming. We have formed a committee to seriously investigate drones. We will soon find means to deal with drone attacks. We have some means to deal with drones and we are trying to deploy them.

Police further said, 'We are conducting a search operation at the place where the attacks took place... The operation was conducted yesterday and today and the items have been seized. Search operations will be conducted further.'

'State forces alone cannot handle the situation'

On the demand for withdrawal of central forces for their alleged inability to prevent violence, the DGP said state forces alone could not handle the situation due to manpower issues and assistance from central forces was a necessity.

"The Centre is providing us all possible help and they are concerned about the situation. We are working together to deal with it. Right now, manpower is required and the state police alone cannot provide it as they are deployed in other normal law and order duties. So obviously, we need central forces."