Manipur Govt

Lone Manipur JD(U) MLA affirms support to BJP-led NDA govt in state

The lone Janata Dal (United) MLA in Manipur, Muhammad Abdul Nasir, announced on Thursday that he will continue to support the BJP government in the state. Nasir's assertion came a day after the JD(U)'s Manipur president, Ksh Biren Singh, announced the withdrawal of support to Chief Minister N Biren Singh-led government, creating a flutter. The JD(U) swung into damage-control mode by sacking him and reiterating support to the BJP dispensation. Nasir met JD(U) working president Sanjay Jha and later issued a video statement, disassociating himself from Ksh Biren Singh's communication to the state governor about the withdrawal of support. He said, "I continue supporting the NDA." Nasir noted that JD(U) president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar remains part of the BJP-led NDA, stressing his bond with the party's leadership. Jha said Nasir expressed his faith in Kumar's leadership during their meeting. Though withdrawal of the JD(U) support to the state government, which has been

JD(U) Manipur chief withdraws support to BJP, Nitish Kumar expels him

While the JDU's move will not affect the stability of the government, it sends a strong message, given the party's role as a key ally of the BJP at both the Centre and in Bihar

Army, police recover ammunition from warlike stores in 4 Manipur districts

Earlier, on January 16, Assam Rifles arrested two people and recovered a massive cache of banned Yaba tablets and Brown Sugar worth approximately Rs 62 crore from them in Churachandpur district

Manipur has highest number of MSME units in northeast: CM Biren Singh

Manipur has the highest number of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) business registrations in the northeastern region, Chief Minister N Biren Singh has said. Singh said that according to the 2018-19 Annual Report of the Ministry of MSME, the state registered 12,438 MSME businesses between 2015 and 2019. The chief minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the northeastern region is set to become the Growth Engine of New India'. Highlighting that Manipuri people are highly enterprising, Singh said, "The state alone has 12,438 MSME businesses, the highest in the northeast, between 2015 and 2019. Fifty per cent of these businesses are owned by women. Manipur's share in national population is 0.2 per cent while the state's share in MSME businesses is 0.3 per cent, he said. Singh said that the BJP-led state government has taken up various initiatives for the development of Manipur since its formation in 2017. One Family One Livelihood mission was

Economic blockade in Kuki-Zo areas of Manipur, shutdown in Kangpoksi

An economic blockade by a tribal body was underway in Kuki-Zo inhabited areas in Manipur on Friday to protest against alleged action by security forces on women in a village in Kangpokpi district, officials said on Friday. Another organisation, Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), also observed a 24-hour shutdown in the district to protest against the alleged baton charge on women on December 31 in Saibol village. The tribal body Kuki-Zo Council said the economic blockade that started from midnight of January 2 would continue till 2 am on Saturday to protest against "disregard for tribal rights and dignity". Vehicular movement and transportation of essential commodities passing through the Kuki-Zo inhabited areas would be restricted during the blockade, the organisation said. Kuki Zo Council would intensify its protest if the women injured in the alleged baton charge by security forces are not compensated, the tribal body's chairman Henlienthang Thanglet said in Churachandpur. A clas

As CM Biren says sorry, Cong asks why PM can't go to Manipur and apologise

After Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday apologised for the ethnic conflict in the state, the Congress asked why can't Prime Minister Narendra Modi go there and do the same even though he travels across the country and the world. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the people of Manipur cannot understand their neglect by the prime minister, whom he accused of deliberately avoiding a visit to Manipur. "Why can't the Prime Minister go to Manipur and say the same thing there? He has deliberately avoided visiting the state since May 4, 2023, even as he jets around the country and the world," Ramesh said in his post. "The people of Manipur simply cannot understand this neglect," he said. His comments came hours after Biren Singh apologised for the ethnic conflict in Manipur, which claimed over 250 lives and rendered thousands homeless since May 2023, appealing to all communities to forget and forgive past mistakes and live together in a "peaceful"

Manipur in 2024: Chaos, ethnic violence, protests reigned supreme

It was a year of turmoil in Manipur. The divide between the Meitei community in the valley and the Kuki tribes in the hills deepened in 2024, triggering human casualties, widespread violence, mob attacks and drone strikes on civilian areas. Once known for its cultural harmony, the state now faces deepening divisions, with thousands displaced and communities living in constant fear, as tensions show no signs of easing and peace remained a far cry in the year gone by. The year started on a violent note when four villagers were gunned down by cadres of the banned Peoples' Liberation Army in Thoubal district on January 1. The incident, linked to disputes over money collected through illegal drug trade, forced the state government to impose prohibitory orders in all five valley districts. A month later, armed miscreants stormed the residence of additional SP Moirangthem Amit Singh at Wangkhei Tokpam in Imphal East district and vandalised his property. During the incident, the additional

Security forces destroy 4 bunkers, occupy 3 after gunfights in Manipur

Security forces have destroyed four bunkers of gunmen in Manipur's Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts and occupied three others following gunfights last week, police said on Monday. The bunkers were destroyed after massive operations were conducted in the last two days in several areas bordering Thamnapokpi and Sanasabi villages where gunfights took place after adjoining hills-based gunmen launched attacks on the low-lying villages, a police statement said. "All armed miscreants involved in recent firing incidents at Thamnapokpi and Sanasabi have been flushed out. Four illegal bunkers have been destroyed while three other bunkers have been occupied by security forces both in the valley and dominating hill areas," it said. Further, a combined team of army, BSF and CRPF also occupied the dominating areas in Uyok Ching in Kangpokpi district. On Friday, four persons, including a police personnel and a woman, were injured in gun attacks in Thamnapokpi and Sanasabi villages. Armed gunm

Fresh violence in Manipur: CM Biren Singh condemns attack, calls for peace

In a fresh violence, few civilians and security personnel were injured in a gunfight with armed men in Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi villages of Imphal East district

No restriction on freedom of expression in Manipur: Writer Haobam Satyabati

Manipuri writer Haobam Satyabati Devi has said that there is no restriction on freedom of expression except in some parts of the state due to the Meitei-Kuki conflict. The author, who was recently selected for the Sahitya Akademi Award for her work "Mynu Bora Nungshi Shirol", said that the state is facing "a challenging time" with the ongoing conflict between the two communities. "This is a very unfortunate and challenging time for the local people and especially the writers, the internet is banned every now and then. People are forced to stay locked in their homes. We cannot go to other areas except the valley," Haobam told PTI Bhasha in a phone interaction. She added that even though "the movement of the intellectuals has been limited", largely there is no restriction on freedom of expression. "There is no restriction on freedom of expression except in the areas affected by the conflict. Yes, it is true that the movement of the intellectuals has been limited. There is no restrict

Manipur was on right track of development before May 2023: CM Biren Singh

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday said the state was on the right trajectory of development and good governance before violence broke out on May 3, 2023, and had hosted multiple international and national events, including G-20 meetings, Miss India competition, and the tri-nation football tournament. Speaking as the chief guest on the occasion of Good Governance Day held at the chief minister's secretariat, Singh lauded government officials, including the chief secretary, for working towards achieving the government's objective of good governance. Former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee's birthday was declared as Good Governance Day' in 2014 under the first Modi government. "The law-and-order situation in the state was not so good when my government came to power in 2017, and my priority was to deliver good governance," he added, citing several schemes and missions initiated under his government for the welfare of the people. Singh said 'Meeyamgi Numit (People's Day)' was ...

Security forces bust camps of two banned militant organisations in Manipur

Security forces busted camps of two banned militant organisations while conducting search operations in Manipur's Imphal East district, police said on Thursday. A hideout of the banned Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) at Makou Pourabi in Imphal East district was busted on Wednesday during which one air gun, one mobile handset and one bulletproof helmet were seized, they said. Another training camp of the proscribed PREPAK also at Makou Pourabi was destroyed on Wednesday during which one INSAS LMG magazine, bayonet, five wooden dummy guns, two walkie-talkie sets, and cartridges were seized. Police also arrested nine cadres of the banned militant outfit Kangleipak Communist Party (Peoples' War Group) during the last two days for their involvement in extortion activities. On Wednesday police arrested two members of KCP (PWG) who were involved in extortion activities from Mantripukhri bazar in Imphal East district and recovered demand letters and cash receipt notes of the outfit from the

Musk denies claims of illegal use of Starlink devices in crisis-hit Manipur

Starlink, known for offering satellite internet services, does not hold a license to operate in India

8 militants arrested in Manipur over killing of two migrant labourers

Eight cadres of the banned militant outfit Kangleipak Communist Party (People's War Group) were arrested from Manipur's Kakching district in connection with the recent killing of two migrant labourers from Bihar, police said on Tuesday. Search operations were launched across Manipur on December 14 to apprehend those who were involved in the killing of the two labourers, and an active member of the proscribed outfit was first apprehended from Kakching Lamkhai area on Monday, a police statement said. "From his inputs, a police team raided a camp located at the Kakching Mamang Ching Laipham Loknung area and arrested seven more cadres of KCP (PWG) from there," the police said. Arms and ammunition and 10 mobile phones were recovered from their possession, the police statement said. The KCP (PWG) is a faction of the banned outfit Kangleipak Communist Party, which was accused of being involved in extortion and other crimes in Imphal Valley. Chief Minister N Biren Singh had condemned the

Nitish condoles 2 Bihar workers' deaths in Manipur, announces ex gratia

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday expressed grief over the killing of two migrant workers from the state in Manipur's Kakching district, and announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for family members of the deceased. Sunalal Kumar (18) and Dashrat Kumar (17), residents of Gopalganj district, were shot dead on Saturday evening. They were construction workers and lived in a rented accommodation in Kakching. The CM has expressed deep sorrow over the killing of two migrant workers from the state in Manipur's Kakching district. Heartfelt condolences to their family, a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. He has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the immediate family members of the deceased... (he) also directed officials of the state's social welfare and labour departments to ensure that the family members get other benefits, too, as per existing provisions, it said.

Permanent solution to Manipur crisis will take time: CM Biren Singh

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Thursday said the Centre and the state governments are making all efforts to bring a permanent solution to the ongoing crisis in the state, but suggested that it could take time due to the fragile nature of the situation. Speaking at a programme to commemorate Nupi Lan, Singh said, "The state and central governments have been putting all efforts to bring a permanent solution. However, bringing a solution would take time as the situation had become chronic and fragile." Regarding the re-imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas, Biren said, "The state government had requested the Centre to review and withdraw AFSPA from the said police stations" and sought cooperation and support from the public in the government's effort to restore peace and tranquility in the state. The CM said Nupi Lal Numit is observed annually to remember the role played by Manipuri women in 1904 and 1939, revolting against the ...

PM should visit Manipur, HM Shah resign on moral grounds: INDIA bloc

Opposition INDIA bloc leaders on Monday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should visit Manipur, as they held a sit-in at Delhi's Jantar Mantar over the situation in the north-eastern state that has been reeling from ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023. Leaders from Congress, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation and AIFB were among those who participated in the protest "for an immediate restoration of peace and normalcy" in Manipur. In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should urgently visit Manipur and Home Minister Amit Shah should resign on "moral grounds" over the situation in the state. The opposition parties also demanded Chief Minister N Biren Singh's sacking as they attacked the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state. Former chief minister of Manipur O Ibobi Singh, Deputy Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, former Union minister Shashi ..

SC asks Manipur govt to give details on arson, property encroachments

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Manipur government to submit a detailed sealed cover report on the number of properties that were fully or partially burnt, looted, or encroached upon during the ongoing ethnic violence in the state. The bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar emphasised the need for the state to address the grievances of the displaced persons and take steps to restore their properties. It therefore asked the Manipur government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, to provide specific details such as buildings burnt or partially burnt, buildings looted, buildings trespassed or encroached upon. The report should also provide information about the owners and current occupants of these properties, along with the details of any legal actions taken against trespassers, the CJI said. "We also direct the state government to provide the following details: 1. Buildings burnt and partially burnt, 2. buildings which are looted; a

Manipur violence: SC asks state for details on arson, encroachments

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Manipur government to provide details in a sealed cover on the dwelling units and properties burnt either fully or partially, and encroached upon during the ethnic violence in the state. The top court asked the state government to spell out details of its actions taken against the culprits and the encroachers. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar fixed the plea for hearing in the week commencing January 20. In August last year, the top court had ordered the setting up of a committee of three former women high court judges to oversee relief and rehabilitation of victims and compensation to them besides asking former Maharashtra police chief Dattatray Padsalgikar to monitor the probe in criminal cases. More than 160 people have been killed and several hundred injured since ethnic violence first broke out in the state on May 3, 2023 when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protes

Security forces recover arms, ammunition during joint operations in Manipur

Acting on specific intelligence of the presence of arms and ammunition in the general area of Loiching Ridge in Kangpokpi district, Assam Rifles and Manipur Police launched a joint operation on Dec 2