Page 28 - Manipur

New era of peace in Manipur as Centre inks pact with militant outfit: CM

Chief Minister N Biren Singh said a new era of peace and progress has dawned in Manipur as the Centre signed a peace agreement with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF). The UNLF is Manipur's oldest militant organisation dominated by the majority Meitei community. "The signing of the peace agreement with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) today in New Delhi was made possible under the able leadership of Hon'ble Union Home Minister, Shri @AmitShah ji," the chief minister said in a post on X on Wednesday. "With his wisdom and continuous guidance, a new era of peace and progress dawns in Manipur. A chapter of growth and development now opens as many extend their faith and trust toward the BJP Government," he added. Representatives of the UNLF signed the agreement in New Delhi with senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Manipur government. The development after the ban on the group under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was ..

Manipur's oldest militant group UNLF renounces violence, signs peace pact

The United National Liberation Front (UNLF), an extremist group operating in Manipur, on Wednesday signed a peace agreement with the government and agreed to renounce violence, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced here. The UNLF is the oldest Imphal valley-based armed group in Manipur. "A historic milestone achieved!!! Modi govt's relentless efforts to establish permanent peace in the Northeast have added a new chapter of fulfilment as the United National Liberation Front signed a peace agreement today in New Delhi. "UNLF, the oldest valley-based armed group of Manipur, has agreed to renounce violence and join the mainstream. I welcome them to the democratic processes and wish them all the best in their journey on the path of peace and progress," Shah said in a post on X. The peace agreement with the UNLF by the government of India and the government of Manipur marks the end of a six-decade-long armed movement, Shah said. "It is a landmark achievement in realising PM @narendram

PM's visit to Manipur called for as part of 'efforts' for peace in NE: Cong

The Congress on Wednesday took a swipe at the Centre over Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks hailing the Narendra Modi government's "relentless efforts to establish permanent peace in the Northeast", saying a visit by the prime minister to Manipur which has seen so much turmoil is called for as part of these "so-called efforts". Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh's attack on the government came after Home Minister Shah announced that the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), an extremist group operating in Manipur, signed a peace agreement with the government and agreed to renounce violence. "A historic milestone achieved!!! Modi govt's relentless efforts to establish permanent peace in the Northeast have added a new chapter of fulfilment as the United National Liberation Front signed a peace agreement today in New Delhi. "UNLF, the oldest valley-based armed group of Manipur, has agreed to renounce violence and join the mainstream. I welcome them to the democratic processes

Kuki Zo community hits Manipur streets demanding separate administration

Thousands of Kuki Zo people on Wednesday hit the streets in several districts of Manipur demanding separate administration for the community. In Churachandpur, agitators under the aegis of Zo United, an organisation of the community, undertook a three-km-long march from Lamka Public Ground to the 'Wall of Remembrance' near the DC office. They urged the Centre to hasten the process of establishing a separate administration in areas of the state dominated by the Kuki Zo community. The agitators submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah through the deputy commissioner. In the memorandum, Zo United said a separate administration was needed as Imphal, which has major government establishments, educational institutions, healthcare facilities and the lone airport in the state, has become inaccessible for the Kuki Zo people, including government officials and tribal MLAs, after the community's expulsion from the Imphal Valley since the commencement of ethnic strife in May. O

Tribunal under Gauhati HC judge to decide ban on Meitei extremist groups

The MHA on November 13 declared several Meitei extremist organisations, their factions, wings and front organisations as unlawful associations under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for 5 years

Tribunal set up for adjudication of ban extended on Meitei extremist groups

The Centre on Tuesday formed a tribunal consisting of a Gauhati High Court judge for adjudication of the extension of another five-year ban on nine Meitei extremist groups and their associate organisations, which mostly operate in Manipur. The Union Home Ministry announcement came a fortnight after it extended the ban on the Meitei extremist groups and their association organisations for their anti-national activities, and launching fatal attacks on security forces. In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 5 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the central government constituted "The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal" consisting of Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi, Judge of the Gauhati High Court, for adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause for declaring the Meitei extremist organisations of Manipur, along with their factions, wings and front organisations as unlawful associations, the home ministry said in a ...

SC issues direction for ensuring burial or cremation of bodies in Manipur

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued directions for ensuring burial or cremation of bodies lying in mortuaries in Manipur, where ethnic clashes had claimed several lives in May. A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud noted that a report filed by the apex court-appointed all-woman committee of former high court judges, headed by justice (retd) Gita Mittal, has indicated the position of the bodies that are lying in mortuaries in the northeastern state. The bench, also comprising justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said the report indicated that 169 of the 175 bodies have been identified while six have not been identified. It noted that of the 169 identified bodies, 81 have been claimed by the next of kin while 88 have not been claimed. The bench observed that the state government has identified nine sites where the burial or cremation can take place. "Bearing in mind the fact that violence in the state of Manipur had taken place in May 2023, it would not be either ...

'Forces' trying to disintegrate Manipur, people should stay united: CM

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday said that all sections of society must stay united to find a solution to the present situation in the state. Addressing a function here, he said there were "forces" trying to disintegrate the state, but the people should remain united. "Let political differences remain political, but when the issue at hand is national or state unity, all differences should be dismissed," Singh said. "This is not the time for bickering among ourselves," he said, adding that his government welcomes all constructive criticisms, advices and suggestions. Singh said that his government cannot allow any threat to the unity of the state or disintegration of the about 34 communities living here. Accusing the state government and the Centre of failing to tackle the ethnic violence that has been ravaging the state since May, Kuki-Zo groups of Manipur have been demanding a separate administration for the tribal areas. More than 180 people have been killed since

Manipur govt in peace talks with Imphal Valley-based insurgent group: CM

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday said his government was holding "peace talks" with an Imphal Valley-based insurgent group. Speaking to PTI-Video, Singh said the talks were at an advanced stage, even though he stayed away from naming the underground organisation. This was for the first time that there was an official confirmation about such talks being held by the government, since ethnic violence broke out on May 3. Earlier, sources had said that the government was holding talks with one faction of the proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF). More than 180 people have been killed since the violence broke out on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mainly i

IRB jawan among 2 tribals shot dead in Manipur; shutdown call in Kangpokpi

In a fresh incident of violence, two persons were killed in a gunfight between two rival groups in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on Monday, police said. The shootout occurred at a place between Haraothel and Kobsha villages though the police are not yet sure about how it began. A tribal organisation, however, claimed that the Kuki-Zo community people were attacked without provocation and declared a "shutdown" in the district. The area witnessed several incidents of gunfight between armed villagers since ethnic strife between Meitei and Kuki communities began in the northeastern state in early May. Additional forces have been deployed in the area and searches are on to arrest those involved in the incident, a police official said. Condemning the "unprovoked attack" on the Kuki-Zo community people, the Kangpokpi-based Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) declared an "emergency shutdown in Kangpokpi district. The COTU, at a meeting, also demanded that the government make arrangements for

Air Force sends Rafales after 'UFO' sighting near Imphal airport on Sunday

The Eastern Command of the Indian Air Force said that it had activated its air defence response mechanism

Hold talks between warring communities: 10-party delegation to Manipur Guv

A delegation of 10 political parties has urged Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey to initiate peace talks between the two warring communities in the state for restoration of peace and normalcy, a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan said. The team led by Congress Legislature Party leader and former chief minister O Ibobi Singh submitted a memorandum to the governor on Friday evening, noting that peace cannot be restored in the state without the intervention of the Centre, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They demanded immediate initiation for "peace talks with the two communities so that a durable solution can be achieved to the ongoing conflict", the statement said. The delegation met the governor after ITLF, a frontal organisation of Kuki-Zo tribes in Manipur, had on Wednesday threatened to establish a "self-governed separate administration" in areas where these tribes have a majority. The state government has strongly condemned the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum's call for .

Manipur govt terms ITLF's demand for 'self-ruled administration' illegal

The Manipur government has strongly condemned the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum's (ITLF) call for "self-governed separate administration" in districts dominated by members of the Kuki-Zo community and termed it as illegal. State government spokesperson and Education Minister Th Basantakumar Singh told reporters on Thursday night that "the irresponsible statements appear to be motivated and aimed at vitiating and disturbing the law and order situation in the state." "Meeting of the ruling party legislators held on Thursday strongly condemned the statement and appropriate legal actions is being initiated against ITLF and persons concerned," the minister said. ITLF, a frontal organisation of Kuki-Zo tribes in Manipur, had on Wednesday threatened to establish a "self-governed separate administration" in areas where these tribes have a majority. The forum said even after more than six months of ethnic strife in the northeastern state, the central government is yet to accept their dema

Manipur CM launches Permanent Housing Scheme for displaced persons

Biren Singh also handed over financial assistance for the construction of permanent houses to some selected beneficiaries from Imphal East, Kakching, and Bishnupur districts under the scheme

Ongoing ethnic violence takes a heavy toll on economy of Manipur

The retail inflation in Manipur remained one of the highest in the country at 9.7 per cent in September

Mobile internet ban extended till Nov 13 in Manipur barring few areas

The Manipur government on Thursday extended mobile internet ban across the state by five more days till November 13, officials said. The ban, however, will not be enforced in the four hill district headquarters which have not been affected by ethnic strife, officials added. The state government said the decision to extend the ban was taken "as there is apprehension that anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speeches and video messages inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation in the state." A home department order said, "There is imminent danger of loss of life and/or damage to public private property and widespread disturbances to public tranquility and communal harmony, as a result of inflammatory material and rumours, which might be transmitted/circulated to the public through social media." "To thwart the designs of anti-national and anti-social elements and to ..

Mobile internet ban lifted in 4 Manipur district HQs unaffected by violence

The Manipur government has lifted the mobile internet ban in four hill district headquarters which have not been affected by ethnic strife, officials said on Thursday. The internet ban was withdrawn on a trial basis in the district headquarters of Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenglong, which are Naga-majority areas, they said. The move comes after the Manipur High Court had directed the state government to operationalise mobile towers, on a trial basis, in all those district headquarters which have not been affected by the ethnic clashes. The mobile internet services in the four hill district headquarters resumed on Tuesday, the officials said. Asked about the resumption of mobile internet services, an official of the Ukhrul district administration said, "Only in district headquarters, a few selected mobile towers have been operationalised. But the connectivity is poor. The restoration will be done on a trial basis." At a recent function in Ukhrul, state Transport Minister Kash

Manipur govt extends internet ban in state till Nov 8 to contain violence

The Manipur government has extended the mobile internet ban in the state till November 8, officials said. Barring a few days in September, mobile internet has remained banned in Manipur since May 3 when ethnic clashes broke out, they said. The latest move comes after a mob had on Wednesday attacked a camp of 1 Manipur Rifles here to loot its armoury, prompting security personnel to fire several rounds in the air. The internet ban was extended following "apprehensions that anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speeches and hate video messages, inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation in the state". An order issued by Commissioner (Home) T Ranjit Singh, acknowledged the existence of "elements of imminent danger of loss of life and/or damage to public-private property... as a result of inflammatory material and false rumours which might be transmitted/circulated to the

Situation calm but tense in Imphal day after attack by mob on Rifles camp

The situation in Manipur's capital Imphal remained calm but tense on Thursday, a day after security forces fired several rounds in the air to disperse a large mob of more than 2,000 people who tried to loot an armoury within the camp of the 1 Manipur Rifles. Several markets in the city remained closed but educational institutions, government offices and the Manipur High Court were functioning normally, while vehicles were seen plying on roads after the curfew was relaxed from 10 am. The administration deployed additional state and central forces at major junctions and police personnel were seen patrolling the area near the Manipur Rifles camp. "Yesterday's attempt to loot arms and ammunitions at 1st MR Battalion by armed miscreants was repulsed by combined security forces effectively," the state police said on Thursday. The mob targeted the Manipur Rifles camp, close to the Raj Bhavan and the Chief Minister's Office in Imphal West district on Wednesday. Responding to the situation

Manipur violence: Mob tries to 'gherao' police station near CMO's office

A mob on Wednesday tried to gherao a Manipur Police office complex demanding arms in Imphal, the capital of the restive state, prompting the authorities to order firing of several rounds in the air and withdraw curfew relaxations in two districts, officials said. A tribal student body called for a 48-hour shutdown from midnight of Wednesday to protest against the deployment of additional police commandos in Moreh town in Tengnoupal district, where a sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) was shot dead on October 31. The Manipur government on Wednesday evening withdrew the daily curfew relaxation from 5 am to 10 pm in Imphal East and West districts "with immediate effect owing to developing law and order situation", according to an official order. The decision came following the attempt by a group of people to gherao the 1st Manipur Rifles complex, close to Raj Bhavan and Chief Minister's Office in Imphal West district, demanding weapons. Security forces fired several rounds in the ai