evidence: Thousands of people, including students from schools and colleges, took to the streets across five districts of Manipur’s Imphal Valley to protest against the recent drone and gun attacks. Protesters also expressed discontent with the government’s handling of the ongoing conflict in the state. [...] Violence erupted on May 3 in the state following a protest march against the judgment by members of the Kuki and Naga tribes, who inhabit Manipur’s hills. Meitei residents were targeted in areas dominated by the Kuki-Zo in the hill districts and the latter in the zones of Imphal Valley. [...] The use of weaponized drones marks an alarming development in the conflict in Manipur. The violent episodes in the state over the past few days reveal the hollowness of claims made by Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh that peace will return within six months. Before the latest attacks, there was also speculation about a breakthrough being made by the emissaries appointed by the chief minister. It remains to be seen if the government can actually come up with effective measures to curb violence and bridge the divide between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur.