Page 34 - Manipur

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.

Heavy rains trigger landslides in Manipur, at least 500 trucks stranded

Heavy rains triggered massive landslides in Manipur's Noney district, blocking the Imphal-Silchar highway due to which at least 500 goods vehicles are stranded, officials said on Thursday. The landslides happened on the National Highway 37 between Irang and Awangkhul part 2, Khongsang and Awangkhul, and Rangkhui village on Wednesday, they said. Work is underway to clear the road, and re-start movement of traffic, officials said. Incessant rains over the last few days triggered the landslides, they said. At least 500 goods vehicles are stranded in different parts of the highway due to the landslides, they added. In June last year, a massive landslide hit a railway construction site in the district, killing at least 61 people. The landslide happened at Tupul railway yard construction site of the Jiribam-Imphal railway line on June 30. The supply of essential items is feared to be affected due to the landslides in the violence-hit state, where road blockades, which went on for days,

Rural Manipur grapples with over 12 per cent inflation amidst unrest

Some 71 per cent of the state's population resides in rural areas

Entire country pained by Manipur ethnic violence: Mizoram CM Zoramthanga

Zoramthanga that his government has kept a close watch on the events in Manipur and taken steps for the safety of Mizos stranded in Imphal

'Peace in Manipur can't be achieved until 6,000 looted weapons recovered'

There can be no peace in Manipur till 6,000 sophisticated arms and 6 lakh rounds of ammunition are recovered, deputy leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said on Wednesday. These arms and ammunition, which were looted from the security forces, will be used against the common people of the state that has been witnessing violence since May 3, Gogoi said in an interaction with journalists here. "So, how can there be peace and normalcy when there is no talk on reconciliation between the two sides," he said. Both Meiteis and Kukis are unhappy with the performance of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, he claimed. "It is unfortunate that Home Minister Amit Shah completely supported the chief minister in Parliament," Gogoi said, adding that it is the presence of the CM in the peace committees that has led to the failure of the peace talks. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has misled the nation from the Red Fort as there can be no peace without reconciliation and rehabilitation of 60,0

Assam Rifles — A time tested force

As one of the six central armed police forces, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Assam Rifles stands with a strength of over 63,000 personnel, encompassing 46 battalions.

There can be no peace in Manipur till 6,000 looted weapons recovered: Gogoi

There can be no peace in Manipur till 6,000 sophisticated arms and 6 lakh rounds of ammunition are recovered, deputy leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said on Wednesday. Speaking to journalists here, Gogoi said these arms and ammunition, which were looted from the security forces, will be used against the common people of the state that has been witnessing violence since May 3. "So, how can there be peace and normalcy when there is no talk on reconciliation between the two sides," he said. Both Meiteis and Kukis are unhappy with the performance of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, he claimed. "It is unfortunate that Home Minister Amit Shah completely supported the chief minister in Parliament," Gogoi said, adding that it is the presence of the CM in the peace committees that has led to the failure of the peace talks. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has misled the nation from the Red Fort as there can be no peace without reconciliation and rehabilitation of 60,000 people,

150 students from Manipur enrolled in Delhi govt schools: Kejriwal

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said 150 students from violence-hit Manipur have been enrolled in Delhi government schools and efforts are being made to help them lead a normal life. Speaking at the Delhi government's Independence Day event at Chhatrasal Stadium here, Kejriwal expressed sadness over the situation in Manipur, which has been roiled by months-long ethnic violence. "Fighting and hatred are going on everywhere in the country. It used to hurt to think about Manipur. Today, we have made a small effort. As many as 150 children from Manipur have been given admission in Delhi government schools without school leaving certificates. "These children are being counselled and efforts are being made to help them lead normal lives," he said. For India to become number one in the world, the chief minister said, its citizens have to live like a family. Kejriwal stressed the need to create positive energy in the country amid an atmosphere of negativity. "If we fight among

Peace returning to Manipur, should build on it and find solutions: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said peace was returning to ethnic violence-hit Manipur and urged the people of the state to build on it to find a solution to the problems there. In his Independence Day address, the prime minister said that for the past few days reports of peace have been coming from Manipur regularly and the Centre and the state government were making every effort to find a solution to the problems there. "The nation is with the people of Manipur. The country should take forward the peace process which has been set in motion by the people of Manipur for the past few days. Only peace can lead to a solution," the prime minister said. More than 150 people have been killed in the ethnic violence in Manipur since May 3. The prime minister said that for the past few weeks the northeast, particularly Manipur, and other parts of the country have witnessed a cycle of violence in which several lives were lost and mothers and sisters had to face loss of dignity. "Bu

Yuva shakti to Manipur: Here's what PM Modi said in his I-Day speech

PM Narendra Modi, in his 10th I-Day speech, promised the country that it would be in the top three largest economies in the next five years

Irom Sharmila appeals to youth to bring normalcy in Manipur amid unrest

Civil rights activist Irom Sharmila Chanu on Monday appealed to youth in the country to help bring normalcy in Manipur and attacked the BJP government, alleging it was deliberately ignoring the ongoing violence in the northeastern state. "Please help in bringing normalcy in Manipur," Chanu said after inaugurating a night-long protest at Muvattupuzha near here to express solidarity with the two women who were raped and paraded naked recently in northeastern state amidst the ongoing unrest. She alleged that the state government has completely failed to control the law and order situation there. Chanu accused the present BJP government of ignoring the problems there by treating them as third class citizens and not intervening with the right approach. "I am expecting intervention from throughout the country. Educated people from Kerala, mainly youth. Youth can change society. They are the reflection of society. You can make a change. Please help in bringing normalcy in Manipur," she ..

Will half-truths in the Parliament bring peace to Manipur?

The reasons for the ongoing ethnic war have to be identified and addressed. The HM and the PM have offered Parliament no insights on how they intend to do this

Rahul's launch failed again; PM put forth all facts on Manipur issue: Tomar

In a dig at Congress, Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday said the launch of Rahul Gandhi has failed once again as Prime Minister Narendra Modi put forth all facts regarding Manipur in Parliament. He also said the Centre was extending all possible help to the affected people in Manipur and peace will be restored in the restive north-eastern state soon. Tomar, the convener of the BJP Election Management Committee for MP, alleged the Congress was playing "dirty politics" and was trying to defame the BJP in Madhya Pradesh with a fake letter regarding "50 per cent commission". "This time also the launch of Rahul Gandhi has failed, Tomar told reporters here when asked about PM Modi's long speech in Parliament in reply to the no-confidence motion debate recently. The prime minister and Union Home Minister (Amit Shah) had put forth all facts regarding Manipur issue in Parliament. The Centre is serious about the issue and it is extending all possible help to the affected people.

Manipur violence needs to be stopped immediately: Cong leader Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the continuing violence in the northeastern state of Manipur is disturbing and needs to be stopped immediately. The MP from Wayanad said the violence in the state was a direct result of a particular type of politics of division, hatred and anger. "So, it is important to to keep everyone together as a family," said Gandhi, who was on a two-day visit to Kerala and will return to Delhi tonight. Speaking after laying the foundation stone of the Community Disability Management Center (CDMC) at St Joseph High School Auditorium in Kodenchery here, Gandhi said the wounds inflicted as a result of the violence would take many years to heal. "The sadness and anger will not go away so easily," he added. He said the violence in Manipur was a lesson to him on what happens when you use politics of division, hatred and anger in a state. Gandhi is on a visit to Kerala for the first time after his reinstatement as MP of Wayanad.