Page 4 - Manipur Govt

Security forces stop Meitei body''s peace march in Manipur's Imphal West

A peace march conducted by a Meitei body was stopped in Manipur's Imphal West district on Saturday as the programme coincided with the government's initiative to resume inter-district bus services to ensure free movement of people, police said. Security forces stopped the procession, taken out by the Federation of Civil Society Organisations at Sekmai, some 18 km from Imphal, and asked the organisers to join the government's free movement initiative. Members of the Meitei body insisted that free movement means travel by anybody and demanded that they be allowed to go in the vehicles arranged by them. "If they (volunteers) wanted to participate in the free movement initiative, they may go through the vehicles arranged by the government," a police officer said. Federation of Civil Society Organisations president T Manihar said, "The purpose of the march is to bring peace in the state. If the government is not in a position to allow the free movement of the public, what is the need fo

Meitei alliance, Thadou Inpi demand NRC,ST list revision in Manipur

Representatives of Meitei Alliance and Thadou Inpi Manipur on Friday demanded a National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Manipur, as they called for restoration of peace in the strife torn northeastern state. The civil society groups held a Meeting on Community Understanding for Peaceful and Harmonious Co-existence. At a conference, they demanded that the term "Any Kuki Tribe" should be removed from the Schedule Tribes List of Manipur, calling it "vague" and "fake." The Meitei Alliance is a consortium of various Meitei organisations based outside Manipur, while the Thadou Inpi is a civil society organisation representing the Thadou tribe. At the meeting, Thadou Inpi Manipur was led by M James Thadou, President of Thadou Inpi, Manipur and Meitei Alliance was led by Sagolsem Biramani, the statement said. The two groups demanded recognition of the "original inhabitants of Manipur, including all its original communities and updating of the National Register of Citizens (NRC)" and ...

Over 1,000 illegal arms given up during surrender period in Manipur: Police

People handed over to the security forces a total of 196 arms along with ammunition and other miscellaneous items on the last day for voluntarily surrendering looted and illegally held weapons in strife-torn Manipur, police said on Friday. The security forces also destroyed 15 bunkers in Kangpokpi district. The arms were surrendered in eight districts till 4 pm of Thursday, which was the deadline for doing so after it was extended by Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the governor of the northeastern state which is under President's Rule. The districts are Bishnupur, Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, Jiribam Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts, police said. After the deadline for voluntarily surrendering arms expired, joint security forces conducted combing and search operations in various parts of the state and recovered 36 arms, 129 ammunition, seven explosives, 21 miscellaneous items and destroyed 15 illegal bunkers, police said in a statement. Twelve bunkers were destroyed at K ..

Kuki-Zo groups from Manipur stage protest in Delhi, demand separate UT

The Kuki Students' Organisation and the Kuki-Zo Women's Forum Delhi and NCR staged a demonstration here on Saturday, and raised the demand for a separate Union Territory with a legislature for the Kuki areas of Manipur. Scores of members of the Kuki-Zo tribe gathered at the Jantar Mantar and raised slogans, saying they cannot go back to Manipur unless the crisis in the northeastern state has been resolved. The protesters carried placards with slogans that called Biren Singh's resignation from the chief minister's post a "smokescreen" and highlighted their demand for a separate Union Territory. The protesters blamed the former chief minister for the situation prevailing in Manipur. In a statement issued at the demonstration site, the protesters said the Kuki-Zo community has endured historical injustices. "The Kuki-Zo community has endured historical injustices and would like to reiterate the urgent need for a political solution for the community in Manipur," the statement, copies o

Shah reviews Manipur situation, directs forces to ensure free movement

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday reviewed the security situation in Manipur with a focus on bringing back normalcy in the restive state and surrender of illegal and looted arms held by different groups, sources said. This was the first such a meeting held after the imposition of the President's rule in the northeastern state, which has been witnessing ethnic violence since May 2023. Over 250 people have lost their lives in the violence. "The home minister took stock of the security situation in Manipur. A detailed briefing was given on the overall law and order situation in the state," sources said. The sources added that the focus of the meeting was on bringing back to the pre-May 2023 level of normalcy and on the surrender of illegal and looted arms held by different groups. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, top officials of the Manipur government, Army, paramilitary forces attended the meeting. The President's rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13 after N Biren Singh ..

Manipur guv extends deadline for surrender of looted, illegal arms

Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday extended the deadline for the surrender of looted and illegal arms until 4 PM on March 6 following demands by people from both hill and valley areas for additional time, an official statement said. "Upon the expiry of the seven-day deadline for the voluntary surrender of arms, there have been requests from both the valley and hill areas to extend the period. I have considered these requests and decided to extend the deadline until 4 PM on March 6," the statement read. It further assured that no punitive action would be taken against those who surrender their weapons within this period, emphasising that "this is the last opportunity for everyone concerned to contribute to peace, communal harmony, the future of our youth, and the security of our society." Bhalla had on February 20 urged warring groups to voluntarily surrender weapons robbed from security forces and other illegally held arms within seven days, the deadline of which ended on

Security forces recover arms, ammunition, apprehend 16 cadres from Manipur

The operations were conducted in the Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Tengnoupal, Jiribam, and Kakching districts of Manipur

Security forces arrest 11 militants in Manipur in two days, says police

Security forces have arrested 11 militants from Manipur in the last two days, including seven suspected cadres of the Kuki National Army (KNA), along with arms and ammunition, police said on Sunday. The KNA cadres were apprehended from old Khaukual area in Churachandpur district on Friday, they said. KNA is a signatory of the tripartite suspension of operations (SoO) pact signed in 2008 among the United Peoples' Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), an umbrella of 24 insurgent groups, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Manipur government. The Manipur government, however, withdrew from the pact in March 2023. In another operation on Saturday at Huikap village in Imphal East district, four active members of the proscribed outfit Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG group), including two women, were arrested, police said. Two AK-47 rifles, pistols, live ammunition, incriminating documents and booklets were among items recovered from their possession, they added. PT

Prez rule no solution, need 'honest political will' in Manipur: Sharmila

Rights activist Irom Sharmila on Friday claimed that the imposition of the President's rule in Manipur is "not a solution" but merely a way to "evade democratic accountability" for the ongoing ethnic violence in the state. In a telephonic interview with PTI, Sharmila emphasised the need for "honest political will" to restore peace in the strife-torn northeastern state and fresh elections "will not bring real change". Instead, Sharmila suggested that the titular king of Manipur be invited to serve as a symbol of unity with powers akin to those of the current governor". "The Presidential rule is not the solution. Manipuris have never wanted this. But since it is now the reality, let the Centre prioritise the restoration of the status quo ante for the internally displaced. Let Prime Minister Narendra Modi bring investments from industrialists' friends to provide at least basic infrastructure and development. The Presidential rule, when imposed in the past, was merely another way to avo

Manipur Assembly can be revived in future based on ground situation: BJP

Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining Manipur's territorial integrity, the BJP on Friday said the state assembly, which was put in a suspended animation following the imposition of President's rule, could be revived on any future date depending on the ground situation. Sambit Patra, the BJP's northeast region in-charge, told PTI that his party was committed to continuing efforts to maintain peace and normalcy in the state, which has been hit by months-long violence between Meiteis and Kukis and remains polarised along ethnic lines. He noted that the assembly had not been dissolved but kept in a suspended animation, meaning that the formation of a new state government remained a possibility. The BJP continues to enjoy a comfortable majority in the assembly but the sharpening of ethnic differences meant the party's search for a consensus candidate to replace N Biren Singh, who resigned as chief minister a few days ago, remained futile. "The assembly is not dissolved and can be ..

Constitutional crisis in Manipur forced President's rule, says Congress

The Congress on Friday said the imposition of President's rule in Manipur is a direct admission of the failure of the BJP governments at the Centre and the state, and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apologise to the people there. In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said there is a Constitutional crisis in Manipur that forced the imposition of President's rule. "Narendra Modi ji, It is your party which has been ruling at the Centre for 11 years. It is your party which was ruling Manipur for 8 years. It is the BJP which was responsible for maintaining Law & Order in the state. "It is your government which is responsible for National Security and border patrol. The imposition of President's rule by YOU, suspending YOUR own party's government is a direct admission on how YOU failed the people of Manipur," Kharge said. He said the government has imposed President's rule not because it wanted to, but because there is a Constitutional crisis in the state, as none .

Focus on BJP central leadership over its next step in strife-torn Manipur

All eyes are now on the BJP central leadership over its next step in strife-torn Manipur, a day after President's rule was imposed in the northeastern state and the assembly put under suspended animation. Security has been beefed up across the state following the Centre's announcement of President's rule, officials said. President's rule was imposed in Manipur and the assembly put under suspended animation on Thursday evening, days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned from his post that led to political uncertainty in the state. The decision came as the BJP failed to build a consensus on a chief ministerial candidate, despite having several rounds of discussions between its northeast in-charge Sambit Patra and legislators. Singh, who was heading the BJP government in Manipur, resigned as chief minister after nearly 21 months of ethnic violence that has claimed over 250 lives so far. The Manipur assembly has a tenure till 2027. Talking to reporters soon after the announceme

Centre imposes President's rule in Manipur after Biren Singh's resignation

President's rule was imposed in Manipur on Thursday, four days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned from his position. The assembly has also been put under suspended animation. Announcing the proclamation of the central rule, a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs said President Droupadi Murmu is of the opinion that "a situation has arisen in which the government of that state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution". "Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 356 of the Constitution, and of all other powers enabling me in that behalf, I hereby proclaim that I assume to myself as President of India all functions of the Government of the State of Manipur and all powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor of that State," the notification said. The assembly has been put under suspended animation, the notification added.

Cong says Article 174 violated in Manipur, calls it Constitutional contempt

The Congress on Thursday said Article 174 that stipulates there cannot be more than a six month gap between two assembly sessions has been "violated" in Manipur and alleged that this is a "deliberate contempt of the Constitution". Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the breakdown of constitutional machinery in Manipur and the agony of the people of the state continues as they still await a visit by PM Narendra Modi "who goes everywhere but Manipur". "Article 174 of the Constitution of India states: 'The Governor shall from time to time summon the House or each House of the Legislature of the State to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit, but six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session'," Ramesh said on X. The Governor of Manipur had convened the Assembly session to begin on February 10, 2025 and a no-confidence motion submitted by the Congress was to

Manipur govt asks people to stay calm, not to fall prey to misinformation

The Manipur government on Tuesday urged people to stay calm and not to fall prey to unverified news, rumours or misinformation that may cause unnecessary panic or disrupt peace and harmony in the state. The appeal was made amid a leadership crisis following the resignation of N Biren Singh from the post of chief minister on February 9. "It has also come to the notice of the government that certain unscrupulous individuals and groups may deliberately attempt to incite unrest, disrupt harmony and spread fear among the public using false information, inflammatory content or fabricated narratives," a statement issued by Chief Secretary P K Singh said. "Such attempts are intended to create lawlessness, and the public is strongly advised not to give heed to such misinformation or incitement," it added. To ensure that people receive accurate information, the government has set up a control room, where citizens can verify any news or information they come across. The control room can be ..

Why Manipur Guv not summoning Assembly for mandated session: Congress

Noting that Article 174 (1) of the Constitution stipulates that there cannot be more than a six month gap between two assembly sessions, the Congress on Tuesday asked why the Manipur governor is "violating" the article by not summoning the Manipur Assembly for its constitutionally mandated session. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said today is the last day for a constitutionally mandated sitting of the Manipur Legislative Assembly's session. Article 174 (1) of the Constitution of India stipulates there cannot be more than a six month gap between the last sitting of an assembly session and the first sitting of the next assembly session, he said. "Why is the Manipur Governor violating Article 174(1) by not summoning the Manipur Legislative Assembly for its constitutionally mandated assembly session?" Ramesh said. The session was declared null and void because the BJP could not appoint a successor to the CM against whom the Congress was scheduled to

Manipur violence to no-confidence motion: Why did CM Biren Singh resign

Biren Singh will continue as 'caretaker chief minister' until the next state CM is chosen by BJP. The current Manipur govt's term is set to conclude in March 2027

'Long overdue': Priyanka Gandhi on Manipur CM Biren Singh's resignation

Biren Singh tendered his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhawan here on Sunday nearly two years after the violence marred the state

BJP Manipur chief backs Biren Singh's resignation from CM position

Speaking to media, BJP Manipur chief Sharda Devi stated that Singh tendered his resignation for the welfare of the people of the state

Biren Singh's exit a bid to save BJP govt in Manipur: Cong's Gaurav Gogoi

Earlier Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi said that Biren Singh resigned amid mounting pressure from public, Supreme Court and Congress