Page 34 - Manipur

Manipur tribal organisations oppose convening of assembly session on Aug 29

The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) and the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) have denounced the convening of the Manipur Assembly session on August 29 saying the present situation is not conducive for Kuki-Zo MLAs to attend. In a joint statement on Sunday, both the organisations said considering the complete breakdown of law and order and the failure of the state government in protecting the lives of the common people and officials, convening the session "is devoid of logic and rationality." The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of Manipur Legislative Assembly on Saturday had decided to hold a one-day session on Tuesday. "Since the outbreak of the current ethnic violence in May, Imphal valley has witnessed the lynching of more than a hundred innocent people and destruction of thousands of houses. Even the lives and properties of ministers and MLAs were not spared," the joint statement said. "If the state government is really concerned about bringing back normalcy, it should

Three houses burnt in Manipur's Imphal, policemen's guns snatched

Unidentified men torched three abandoned houses at New Lambulane locality in Manipur's capital Imphal on Sunday afternoon. Firemen rushed to the spot and put off the blaze, officials said. Soon after the incident, people gathered in the area and demanded state and central forces deployed in the locality to allow them to enter the area, officials said, adding that the security forces later fired a few rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. In another development, unidentified men snatched three weapons from the security personnel guarding the residence of former health and family welfare director K Rajo around 2am on Sunday, police said. The incident took place at Sagolband Bijoy Govinda under Imphal PS in Imphal West district, police said, adding the snatched weapons included two AK series rifles and a carbine. Investigation is on to determine the circumstances leading to the incident, officials said. Police, meanwhile, have launched multiple operations to retrieve the

Upcoming Manipur assembly session just an eyewash, says Congress

Former Manipur chief minister and Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh on Saturday said the upcoming assembly session on August 29 is just an eyewash and not in public interest. Speaking to reporters at the Congress Bhavan here, Okram said, "I attended the meeting of the business advisory committee (BAC) today (Saturday) and learnt that the session will be just for a day. Since it is a constitutional obligation to hold a session before September 2, Tuesday's session has been called." "The agenda is going to be obituary references," Okram said, adding, "In my experience, on a day when obituary references are taken up, no other business is discussed." Members of the BAC held a meeting to discuss the time allocation of business for the one-day session. "As a member of the committee, I suggested that the session be held at least for five days to discuss the unprecedented situation in the state. The opposition has just four or five members. We are not here to criticise the government, but

SC transfers Manipur violence cases investigated by CBI to Assam HC

In a significant development, the Supreme Court Friday transferred to neighbouring Assam 17 Manipur violence cases being probed by the CBI, including the sexual assault case of two women seen in a viral video being paraded naked, and asked the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court to nominate one or more judicial officers to deal with them. The top court passed a slew of directions on judicial procedures, including the virtual examination of victims and witnesses by courts, saying they have been issued at the present stage, bearing in mind the overall environment in Manipur and the need for ensuring a fair process of criminal justice administration. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra rejected the submissions of many lawyers, who were opposed to transfer of CBI cases to Assam, and accepted the submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the Manipur government, that the suggestion has been made .

Manipur CM, cabinet minister leave for Delhi; likely to meet Amit Shah

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh along with a few of his cabinet colleagues went to New Delhi on Thursday, officials said. During the visit to the national capital, Singh is expected to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the situation in his state, where ethnic clashes broke out in May, they said. Singh and his colleagues went to Delhi in a chartered flight, and are likely to return to the state at night, they added. Among those accompanying the CM are state ministers Govindas Konthoujam and Sapam Ranjan, officials said.

Pre-fabricated houses for violence-hit people temporary measure: Manipur CM

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday said that the pre-fabricated houses built for those affected by violence are not a permanent arrangement and were constructed to ease the hardship faced by those living in relief camps. He also said that the situation in the northeastern state is gradually improving. Singh was speaking at a programme where temporary shelter homes were handed over to over 300 families at Sajiwa Jail Complex in Imphal East district. They have been staying in various relief camps in the same area. These are temporary measures. Our first priority is to rehabilitate the affected people in both hills and the valley. Pre-fabricated houses are being built at eight sites, the chief minister said. Prefabricated houses are ready-made structures that are constructed off-site and assembled at the place where the homes will be set up. Singh said that 320 houses have been built at Kwakta in Bishnupur district, 400 at Sajiwa and 200 at Sawombung in Imphal East, wh

Centre to move 20-22 fresh CAPF units to Manipur, G20 Summit: Report

The Centre is expected to deploy about 20-22 fresh CAPF companies in the ethnic violence hit regions of Manipur after the withdrawal of these personnel deputed for the security of the Amarnath Yatra that is ending soon, official sources said on Tuesday. These companies will be in addition to the about 125 such units of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) that are already deployed in Manipur since violence broke out in the first week of May. It is planned that about 20-22 companies of the CAPFs-- that includes the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)-- will be deployed in Manipur in the first phase as part of "bolstering" the security grid in the state. These units are being withdrawn from the Amarnath Yatra duty in Jammu and Kashmir as it has been declared closed for pilgrims now, official sources in the security establishment told PTI. Around 10-15 more companies, deployed for the Amarnath pilgrimage protection

Priyanka Gandhi likely to visit violence-hit Manipur soon: Congress leader

Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is likely to visit violence-hit Manipur and Tripura soon, a party leader said on Monday. Senior Congress MLA of Tripura Sudip Roy Barman said he has already spoken to the her regarding the visit. "I have already spoken to our leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and she is scheduled to visit Manipur and Tripura very soon," he told reporters at the state Congress headquarters here. He said that during her Tripura visit, the Congress leader will visit Tripureswari temple in Gomati district. Roy Barman, who was inducted into the Congress Working Committee (CWC) as a permanent invitee, was felicitated by his supporters at the party office. He is the first Congress leader from Tripura to be inducted into the CWC, the party's top decision-making body. "My inclusion in CWC is not only a matter of personal pride, but also the pride of the Congress leaders and workers who have been fearlessly working in the northeastern state," he said. State Congres

Indefinite blockade reimposed on national highways in Manipur's Kangpokpi

A tribal body in Manipur on Monday reimposed an indefinite blockade on two national highways in Kangpokpi district, demanding adequate supplies of essential commodities to Kuki-Zo communities in hill areas of the state. Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU) Sadar Hills Kangpokpi began the blockade on NH 2 which connects Imphal with Nagaland's Dimapur and NH 37 which links Imphal with Assam's Silchar. "Volunteers of the tribal body were seen coming out on the streets at a few places of Kangpokpi district to enforce the blockade and prevent movement of vehicles," an official said. COTU secretary Lamminlun Singsit had on August 17 said, "Highway blockades would be reimposed on NH 2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH 37 (Imphal-Silchar) if the supplies of essential commodities to Kuki Zo communities in the hill areas of the state are not ensured". Meanwhile, the Manipur Police had on Sunday said that movement of 163 vehicles with essential items on NH 2 has been ensured. "Strict security measures hav

Manipur: SC to pass orders on Fri to facilitate Justice Gita Mittal panel

A panel headed by former judge Gital Mittal to oversee relief and rehabilitation of victims of violence in Manipur on Monday submitted three reports to the Supreme Court, including one on the need to upgrade the compensation scheme for the strife-torn people of the state. The Supreme Court said it will pass orders on Friday to facilitate functioning of the three-member panel. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said the copy of the three reports be given to all lawyers concerned and directed advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for one of the victims, to collate suggestions for the panel. The bench said the Justice Mittal-led committee has filed three reports on issues such as loss of documents and the need for upgrade the Manipur compensation scheme on the lines of the National Legal Services Authority policy. The reports submitted by the Justice Mittal-led committee shows essential documents need to be re-issued and the Manipur

Disarmament pre-condition for talks: Sitaram Yechury on Manipur crisis

The government must ensure disarmament to start the talks with the warring Kuki and Meitei communities for resolving the crisis in Manipur, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters at the Manipur Press Club, Yechury said the 'double engine' government of the BJP should double its efforts in resolving the conflict, which has been going on for over three months. "There has to be some sort of dialogue and discussion, and that is where the governments -- both Centre and state -- have the primary responsibility. If it's a double-engine government, then please make double-energy efforts to try and bring everybody together to a table. We have done this in the past. It is the only way all problems that India has faced in last 75 years have been resolved," he said. "Disarmament should be a pre-condition for the talks. Talks have to begin with ceasefire, and then it should proceed on the issues," he added. Yechury also urged the Centre to send a ...

Manipur violence: BSF men to be deployed in village where 3 were killed

A Border Security Force (BSF) team is likely to be posted in Thawai Kuki village in Manipur's Ukhrul district where three persons were killed by armed men on Friday, sources said. Security forces are combing the jungles of the adjoining hills where the armed men are believed to be hiding, they said. The likely move to deploy a BSF team in the village comes days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh sought reports from Churachandpur deputy commissioner and SP about the open display of sophisticated firearms by a group of people during an Independence Day parade. Sources also added that around 60 companies of the BSF are likely to be deployed in nine districts of the state to assist the administration in maintaining law and order. BSF (EC) ADG Sonali Mishra along with four senior officers had recently called on Governor Anusuiya Uikey at Raj Bhavan and briefed her about the prevailing security situation in the northeastern state. Meanwhile, more than 200 Meiteis who had crossed over to

Remove Biren Singh for failing to restore normalcy in Manipur: CPI(M)

Senior CPI(M) leader Jitendra Chaudhury, who is currently visiting strife-torn Manipur as member of a party delegation, on Saturday demanded the removal of Chief Minister N Biren Singh for "failing to restore normalcy". Chaudhury, the Tripura unit's general secretary and part of the CPI(M) delegation that is on a three-day visit to the violence-affected state, alleged that the ethnic violence in the northeastern state was part of the BJP-RSS' strategy of engineering division among people across the country. The BJP, however, dismissed the CPI(M) leader's allegations as baseless and asserted the state was on the path to peace. "We don't see the strife in Manipur as an isolated situation but as part of the BJP-RSS' pan-India strategy of creating divisions and triggering mistrust among people to rule them. Such incidents are happening everywhere," Chaudhury told PTI over the phone. The CPI(M) delegation, led by its national general secretary Sitaram Yechury, visited three relief camps

Over 200 Meiteis who crossed over to Myanmar return to Manipur: CM

More than 200 Meiteis who crossed over to neighbouring Myanmar to escape the ethnic violence in Manipur have safely returned to the state after more than three months, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on Friday and lauded the role of the Army in bringing them back. More than 160 people have been killed and several hundreds injured in clashes between Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur since May 3. "Relief and gratitude as 212 fellow Indian citizens (all Meiteis) who sought safety across the Myanmar border post the May 3rd unrest in Moreh town of Manipur are now safely back on Indian soil, the chief minister wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. The chief minister hailed the efforts of the Army in facilitating their safe return to their hometown. "A big shout-out to the Indian Army for their dedication in bringing them home. Sincere gratitude to GOC (General Officer Commanding) Eastern Command, Lt Gen R P Kalita, GOC 3 Corps, Lt Gen HS Sahi and CO (Commanding Officer) of 5 AR, Col Rahul

Three killed in renewed violence following heavy gunfire at Kuki village

In a fresh round of violence in ethnic strife-torn Manipur, mutilated bodies of three youths were found following heavy gunfire at Kuki Thowai village in Ukhrul district on Friday, officials said. This is the first time that an attack in the recent bout of violence has occurred in Ukhrul district, which is dominated by Tangkhul Nagas. Sounds of heavy gunfire were heard from the village, which falls in Litan police station area, early in the morning, they said. Officials said the bodies of the three youths aged between 24 years and 35 years were found after police carried out a thorough search in the surrounding villages and forest areas. Bodies of the three persons bore injury marks apparently made using sharp knives and their limbs were also chopped off, officials said. Ethnic clashes broke out in the northeastern state 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) ...

Restoration of peace and normalcy of paramount importance in Manipur: CM

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh Friday said restoration of peace and normalcy is of paramount importance in the ethnic-strife torn state. He called upon the people to work doubly hard to make up for the time lost due to the ethnic violence rocking the north eastern state since May 3. Biren Singh, who was speaking on the occasion of Sadbhavana Diwas, sought positive suggestions and advices for the welfare and unity of the state. The programme for observing Sadbhavana Diwas was held on Friday instead of on August 20 as the day falls in the weekend. "Restoration of peace and normalcy is paramount. All should refrain from making comments and engage in discussion that could be upsetting for another community," he said. There will be difference of opinions but people should keep aside their self interests and focus more on common interests. "The main objective now is the restoration of peace," he said. "People should work doubly hard so that the pace of development returns and the

'Everyone entitled to speak freely': Manipur CM on Kuki MLAs letter to PM

Days after Kuki MLAs of Manipur requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a separate chief secretary and DGP for the Kuki-dominated hills areas in the northeastern state, Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday asserted that everyone was entitled to speak freely in a democracy. Ten Kuki MLAs, including seven from the BJP, submitted a memorandum to Modi on Wednesday, requesting that "posts equivalent to chief secretary and DGP" be established in five hill districts of the state to ensure "efficient administration" in the wake of the state's three-month ethnic violence. The five districts for which they raised this demand are Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Chandel, Tengnoupal, and Pherzawl. "In a democracy, everyone is entitled to speak freely," the chief minister told reporters here after a programme on the occasion of Sadbhavna Diwas. Though there were a number of MLAs at the function, none spoke to the media on the issue. The Kuki MLAs, in their memorandum, claimed, "The IAS, MCS, IPS

SBI offers to extend relief on loans to customers in riot-hit Manipur

The State Bank of India (SBI) has offered to extend relief on loans to its customers in Manipur, who have been affected by the ongoing unrest in the state. The relief package includes a moratorium of up to 12 months on equated monthly installments (EMIs), interest payments, and other installments. It will be available to borrowers whose accounts had not turned non-performing assets (NPAs) as on May 3, 2023, a SBI Manipur regional office notice said. The package will be implemented based on an assessment date of May 4, 2023. Borrowers who are interested in availing relief must approach their home branches or any nearby SBI branch by August 31, 2023, the bank said. The SBI said it understands the challenges that individuals and businesses are facing in Manipur at this time, and the relief package is aimed at providing them with much-needed support. "The SBI's relief package is a welcome move for borrowers in Manipur who have been affected by the unrest. The moratorium on EMIs and ...

Delhi Assembly likely to discuss Manipur issue on last day of its session

Earlier AAP leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on August 11 said it is unfortunate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not visit Manipur and take any action on it

Arms, ammunition recovered in Manipur as situation continues to be tense

Eight firearms and 112 rounds of ammunition were recovered from different districts of violence-hit Manipur during search operations by security forces, police said. Besides, the forces also seized six explosives, they said. The recoveries were made on Wednesday from Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi and Imphal West districts, the police said in a statement. "The situation in the state was tense with sporadic incidents of firing and congregation of protesters," it said. Also, six bunkers have been dismantled in Tengnoupal district, it added. Meanwhile, four people from Assam were arrested in Mantripukhri area of Imphal East district with 1,240 bottles of syrups containing codeine phosphate, an opioid analgesic. The arrests were made by the officers of Narcotics & Affairs of Border (NAB) on Tuesday, police said. Ethnic clashes broke out in the state in May, and have been continuing for more than three months, leading to the deaths of over 160 people.