The Manipuri Elders’ Consortium Shillong (MECS) staged a protest on Sunday, September 15, in Shillong, raising concerns over the escalating ethnic violence in Manipur, which has persisted for 16 months. The protest, held at Manipuri Rajbari, condemned recent attacks involving weaponised drones and advanced firearms targeting both security forces and civilians.
Protesters held placards demanding the restoration of internet services in the Imphal Valley and called for an end to the killing of innocent Meiteis. The ongoing conflict in Manipur has claimed over 250 lives and displaced more than 60,000 people.
Manipur police have raised alarms about a dangerous shift in tactics. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) N Herojit Singh reported that protesters are now using automatic firearms against security personnel, escalating from previous methods like stone-throwing. Incidents in Khabeisoi and Kakwa have left police officers injured by gunfire.
