Kuki Inpi, the apex body of the Kuki tribe, on Wednesday denied allegations that Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers used drones to drop bombs during recent violence in Manipur’s Imphal West.
In Short
Kuki Inpi urges to not spread misinformation, stresses adherence to international laws
Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers lack technology to weaponise drones, says Kuki Inpi
Kuki Inpi blames Meitei groups for drone attacks on civilians
The apex body of the Kuki tribe, Kuki Inpi, has denied allegations that Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers used drones to drop bombs during recent violence in Manipur’s Imphal West, asserting that their drone usage is strictly limited to surveillance in line with international law.
In a statement, Kuki Inpi clarified that the Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers lack the technological capability to weaponise drones and emphasised that such actions contradict their values. “The allegation that the Kukis use drones to drop bombs is completely false and unfounded. Our village volunteers only use camera drones for surveillance to monitor and gather information, adhering to international laws,” the statement said.
Kuki Inpi accused Meitei armed groups, specifically VBIGs and Arambai Tenggol, of possessing the technology to weaponise drones. The statement cited incidents where these groups allegedly used drones to attack Kuki-Zo civilians, including a December 2023 incident in G Songgel village, which resulted in injuries and property damage.
Kuki Inpi in a statement said, “It is important to note that it is the Meitei Militants who possess the technological capabilities and prowess to weaponise drones, not the Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers. With the help of state machinery, it is the VBIGs and the Arambai Tenggols who have been showing off their weaponised drones and also used them to target innocent Kuki-Zo civilians of G Songgel village in December 2023. A house was severely damaged and one Mangboi Baite was seriously injured.
“The same weaponised drones by the VBIGs and Arambai Tenggol were deployed to attack Kuki-Zo civilians in the Leimakhong area, resulting in unintended consequences in Koutruk.”
Kuki Inpi reiterated that Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers only use drones for surveillance and have no intention of weaponising them, urging against spreading misinformation that could fuel further unrest.