Task cut out for NIA
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: October 18, 2024 -

THOUGH the NIA investigation into the Koutruk drone attack case will undoubtedly be an exhaustive and time consuming exercise, commencement of the enquiry would definitely drive home the message to the Kuki militants that the central government authorities are keeping a tab on the Manipur violence and monitoring all acts of violence committed against security forces and Civilians.

Compared to the use of high calibre weapons and rocket propelled grenades in attacking Manipur police commando personnel and outposts in Moreh in the initial stages of the on-going Kuki-Meetei communal clash not drawing much attention of the national media, the aggression on Koutruk villagers by deploying drones for dropping bombs and firing from long-range weapons, suspected to be sniper rifle, hogged the national limelight with mainstream television news channels and print dailies giving adequate coverage to the incident.

Some news anchor even likened the drone bombing on Koutruk village to conflict between adversary nations and despatched their representatives for regular reporting from the ground.

Consequent to the widespread coverage by the national media coupled with local civil society organisations alleging that central forces deployed in the state are taking side with Kuki militants, the government of Manipur, as a formality, entrusted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to probe the case.

Amid periodical outbreak of gunfights between the communities in conflict in the periphery villages, the Koutruk drone-bombing and sniper firing on September 1 this year, and similar attacks on the nearby Meetei villages, left a young housewife dead and her daughter injured, besides wounding scores of locals and security personnel.

Intensity of the said attacks also put the government authorities under intense pressure.

Mention may be made here that the attacks were carried out days after state and central government authorities claimed gradual improvement of the situation in Manipur.

In fact, the Koutruk attacks, amid assurances to find solution to the conflict and contention about acts of violence receding, resulted in public movements to denounce alleged inefficiency of the government authorities.

As per the report of state's police which conducted preliminary investigation, the Koutruk attacks were carried out from Bethel village in Kangpokpi district after relative calm for four-five months.

Subsequent to a state cabinet decision to hand over the case to the NIA, the central agency despatched a team to conduct further the investigation.

On Wednesday morning, the NIA team conducted spot enquiry accompanied by a police team led by the Imphal SDPO and forensic experts, beginning from the spot where one Surbala got killed and her daughter Rojiya suffered injury.

The enquiry is part of the follow-up action based on registration of a case at Lamsang police station regarding the September 1 drone attack on Koutruk.

The case has been primarily handed over to the premier probe agency as the state government suspected possible involvement of external elements in the attack.

Whether or not the NIA investigate vindicates suspicion of both public and government about involvement of foreign nationals, Myanmar origin Chin-Kuki people to be specific, only time will tell.

However, it's an undeniable fact that the so-called Kuki village volunteers conspicuously exhibit licensed firearms such as single and double-barrelled guns, whereas almost all the slain or injured Meetei people were hit by bullets fired from conventional war weapons, thereby implying involvement of trained militants, be they residents of Manipur or from across the boundary.