Page 5 - Manipur Govt

N Biren Singh steps down as Chief Minister of strife-torn Manipur

Resignation comes ahead of Congress' planned no-confidence motion

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh tenders resignation to Governor

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday tendered his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan, officials said. Singh was accompanied by 14 MLAs belonging to the BJP and NPF. State BJP president A Sharda and senior saffron party leader Sambit Patra was also part of the delegation. After meeting the governor, Singh went to the CM secretariat. In his letter to the governor, Singh said, "It has been an honour to serve the people of Manipur thus far. I am extremely grateful to the central government for time actions, interventions, developmental work and implementation of various projects for safeguarding the interests of every single Manipuri." This comes hours after he returned from Delhi. On Saturday, Singh convened a meeting with BJP-led ruling alliance MLAs at the CM Secretariat in connection with the upcoming assembly session beginning February 10. The meeting was held in the wake of the opposition Congress seeking to move a no-confidence motion against

Govt making all efforts to restore peace in Manipur: CM N Biren Singh

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday said his government has been making all efforts to restore peace in the strife-torn northeastern state and to ensure that people live together as before. "The state government has been making all possible efforts to restore peace and to ensure that people live together peacefully as before," the chief minister said. More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur in May 2023. Speaking at the closing ceremony of DGAR Men & Women Polo Championship 2025, Singh appreciated the Army and the Assam Rifles for organising various tournaments and said these would play an important role in promoting polo and protecting ponies in Manipur. He sought support and cooperation from people in safeguarding the ponies. Singh also said the government has taken up various schemes to protect ponies in Manipur and reiterated that modern polo originated from the state. "A grazing ground ...

BJP govt trying hard to bring development across Manipur since 2017: CM

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday said that despite challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic and ethnic violence, the BJP-led government has been putting all efforts to bring development in both hills and valley regions of the state since 2017. Singh became the chief minister of the northeastern state for the first time in 2017. During his second term, more than 250 people were killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic clashes between valley-based Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups, who are in majority in the hill districts, since May 3, 2023. "Almost two and half years were lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite the challenges, the government had made some big achievements. After we returned for the second term with the love of the people, we lost nearly two years due to the present situation. "But the government has not stopped. It has continued with developmental projects in the hills and the valley. At the same time, it worked towards resolving the situation,"

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 ...