In response to a rocket attack that killed a civilian and injured six others, authorities have ordered the closure of all schools in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur starting Saturday. The move aims to safeguard students and staff amid escalating violence in the region.
The attack occurred in Bishnupur district and was attributed to “Kuki militants” by local police. The assault resulted in the death of a 78-year-old man and left six individuals wounded. The elderly victim was reportedly struck when a rocket hit his residence, previously occupied by the late Mairenbam Koireng Singh, a former chief minister of Manipur.
This incident followed a recent escalation where insurgents used drones to drop explosives, marking a significant intensification of the conflict. A 31-year-old woman was killed and six others were injured in that attack, described by police as an “unprecedented” escalation.
Fighting in Manipur has been ongoing for over a year, with tensions between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community leading to severe unrest. The conflict has deepened ethnic divisions and strained previously harmonious relations between communities.
In a statement, local authorities emphasized that the school closures were necessary to ensure the safety of students and teachers amidst the current instability.
