Page 39 - Manipur

Manipur resumes biometric capture of illegal immigrants: Official

The Manipur government has resumed the process of collecting biometric details of identified illegal immigrants in the state, an official said on Monday. We have identified around 2,500 of illegal immigrants in the state, majority of whom are currently in Tengnoupal and Chandel districts which share border with Myanmar, joint secretary (home) Peter Salam told PTI. "The state government had started the identification process earlier, but it came to a halt after violence broke out in May," Salam said, adding "illegal immigrants arrested in Churachandpur district have been kept in the Foreigners Detention Centre and Sajiwa jail in Imphal East district and Imphal jail in Imphal West district." "In all, 104 inmates are in the Foreigners Detention Centre, 60 in Sajiwa jail and 70 in Imphal jail," Salam said. Officials said, "Of the 104 illegal Myanmarese inmates, 74 are male, 24 women and six minors as on Monday. "Collecting biometric details is a time-consuming process as we encounter

Monsoon Session: RS adjourned till 3.30 pm over uproar on Manipur issue

The Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the fourth time till 3.30 pm on Monday as the opposition kept insisting on a discussion on the Manipur issue under Rule 267 of the House. As the House reassembled at 2 pm after the second adjournment, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said the government has agreed to a short duration discussion on the Manipur issue under Rule 176 and called for the initiation of the discussion. "The government is extremely keen (for a discussion on the Manipur issue)," Dhankhar said amid uproar by the opposition. When members from the opposition parties insisted on a discussion under Rule 267, he responded, "Notices under Rule 267 have not been admitted by me. They have been declined by me". As the uproar continued, the Chairman first adjourned the House till 2.30 pm and then again till 3.30 pm.

Goa assembly: All 7 Oppn members suspended for 2 days following protest

All seven opposition members of the Goa legislative assembly were suspended for two days on Monday after they protested and created a ruckus on the floor of the House over Manipur violence. The suspended members are Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Congress MLAs Altone D'Costa and Carlos Ferreira, AAP's Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva, Goa Forward Party's Vijai Sardesai, and Viresh Borkar of Revolutionary Goans Party. After Question Hour, Alemao demanded a discussion on Manipur violence on the floor of the House, claiming that the private members' resolution moved last Friday by Cruz Silva on the issue was disallowed by Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar. All opposition members, dressed in black, started creating a ruckus on the House floor. The Speaker said that the entire country is sensitive about the issue. The Union home ministry is dealing with the issue. The issue is discussed in Parliament. We cannot allow discussion on the issue on the floor of the House, the Speaker ruled. Unhappy wit

Manipur women stage protest demanding removal of security forces from Moreh

Over 1,000 women on Monday staged a protest in Manipur's Churachandpur demanding immediate removal of state police forces from Moreh town. They have threatened to launch a massive agitation in all the hill districts if their demand is not met. On July 28, thousands of Kuki-Zo women in Tengnoupal district had blocked the road to Moreh, bordering Myanmar, to stop police forces from entering the town. A convoy of ten vehicles of security forces including the Indian Reserve Battalion, Manipur Rifles and commandoes were heading towards Moreh town when the womenfolk obstructed them at Tengnoupal. The protest by the women of Churachandpur comes a day after the opposition bloc INDIA on Sunday said if the conflict in Manipur is not resolved soon, it may create security problems for the whole nation. A delegation of the non-BJP coalition, which visited Manipur state for two days from Saturday, slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "silence", showing "brazen indifference" to the ongoi

SC calls for evolving process to deal with violence against Manipur women

The Supreme Court on Monday called for evolving a broad mechanism to deal with violence against women in strife-torn Manipur and asked how many FIRs have been registered in such incidents in the state since May. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud that the Union of India has no objection if the apex court monitors the investigation into the Manipur violence. The bench, also comprising Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, is hearing a batch of petitions concerning the violence in Manipur. At the outset, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the two women who were seen in a May 4 video being paraded naked in Manipur, said they have filed a petition in the matter. The hearing in the matter is underway. The apex court on July 20 observed that it was "deeply disturbed" by the video of two women being paraded naked in strife-torn Manipur, saying that using women as instruments for perpetrating viol

SC refuses to entertain PIL seeking SIT probe into Manipur violence

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a fresh PIL on the Manipur violence seeking among other things a SIT probe into alleged poppy cultivation and narco-terrorism. It asked for a "more specific" petition and said this one was "very difficult" to entertain because it blamed only one community. Senior advocate Madhavi Diwan, appearing for the petitioner Mayanglambam Bobby Meetei, sought to withdraw the plea and was allowed to do so. This petition is very difficult to entertain because it places blame on one community, said the bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandcrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. You can come with a more specific petition. This petition has everything from the violence to narcotics to deforestation, the bench said. Diwan referred to cross-border terrorism and poppy cultivation in the state as responsible for the recent violence. The plea made the Narcotics Control Bureau, the National Investigation Agency and the NHRC as well as the .

Modi govt indifferent to pain, anguish of Manipur people: Cong chief Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday alleged that the Narendra Modi government was "indifferent" to the pain and anguish of the people of violence-hit Manipur. The Congress chief said MPs of opposition alliance INDIA who visited Manipur to assess the situation in the strife-torn state, heard heart-wrenching stories of pain from the people there. "While Manipur faced turmoil, the Modi government appeared indifferent," he said on Twitter while asserting that the divide between communities was "deeply concerning". "Despite time for poll rallies, self-PR train inaugurations, and attending BJP meetings, PM Modi seems to have no time to address the anguish and suffering of Manipur's people or work towards resolving inter-community issues," Kharde tweeted. He also said, "The Modi government appears clueless and rudderless in handling the Manipur situation, evident in the absence of a comprehensive statement in Parliament." Over 50,000 people, including 10,000 children, are in

Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 pm after protests by Oppn over Manipur issue

The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm following protests by the opposition which has been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on the Manipur issue. When the House met at 11 am, Speaker Om Birla announced that a Parliamentary delegation from Malawi is visiting India and they were watching the proceedings of the House. He welcomed the foreign delegation and wished their pleasant stay in the country. As he completed his speech, the opposition members were on their feet demanding a statement from the prime minister on Manipur. Soon they came to the well of the House showing placards and shouting slogans against the government. The speaker initially ignored their protests and continued the Question Hour, which was the scheduled business. Two questions related to the Ministries of Education and Finance were taken up for discussion amidst sloganeering and protests. As the protests continued, the speaker appealed to the opposition members to go back to the

Missteps in Manipur may introduce dangerous dynamics in NE politics

Any demand for a separate ethnic state for the Zo people carved out of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh could rapidly worsen the security situation in India's northeast

Opposition MPs brief INDIA bloc parties on Manipur situation in Delhi

MPs of opposition alliance INDIA who had gone to Manipur to assess the situation in the strife-torn state on Monday briefed leaders of the grouping here. They met at the Parliament House and highlighted the ground realities before the alliance members. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, who was part of the delegation, described the situation in Manipur as "grave". "If any of the ruling party MPs go there and see the situation for themselves, they will not make casual statements," he said. A delegation of 21 opposition MPs went to Manipur over the weekend, visiting the relief camps and meeting the people affected by the violence. The opposition has been demanding a discussion on the Manipur violence in both Houses and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament. They are set to raise the heat on the government over the issue and will press for a statement from the prime minister as well as an elaborate discussion. Sonia Gandhi, the chairperson of the Congress

Violence has taken away my house, everything we had: Indian footballer

It was a humid May evening as usual in Kozhikode, as India footballer Chinglensana Singh ambled down the ground to enter the dressing room. Once there, he saw a trail of text messages and a barrage of missed calls on his phone. Worried, he promptly tried returning the calls but to no avail. But soon the centre-back from the strife-torn state found out that he had lost almost everything in the violence that broke out there on May 3, the same day that he was representing Hyderabad FC in an AFC Cup playoff (Asian continental tournament) match against Mohun Bagan in faraway Kozhikode. "It has taken away everything from us, everything we earned, everything we had," the player, hailing from Khumujama Leikai in Churachandpur district, told PTI. "I heard the news of our house being torched and then the football turf that I built in Churachandpur was burnt. It was really heartbreaking. "I had the big dream of providing a platform to the youngsters but it was taken away. Fortunately, my fami

Double-engine govt in Manipur not doing anything to stop violence: Baghel

According to him, it is the Central government's failure even if China is behind the unrest

Mamata Banerjee's tweet on Manipur situation politically mala fide: Suvendu

West Bengal leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday called Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's emotional tweet on the situation in Manipur a "politically mala fide tweet".Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Adhikari said, "It is a politically mala fide tweet." The Bengal Leader of Opposition also questioned the Chief Minister's inaction during the Panchayat poll elections which were reportedly marred with violence."The administration of CM Banerjee did not take any action to stop the violence during the Panchayat poll elections in the state," Suvendu Adhikari said.The West Bengal Leader of Opposition further lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 10 years in government saying that his tenure did not see any "corruption charges.""...PM Modi's govt will complete 10 years in a few months and there are no corruption charges. Under PM Modi's leadership the country has progressed and its financial status has also improved...," Adhikari said.In an emotional tweet, West Bengal Chief ...

Join debate, share experiences from Manipur: Anurag Thakur to Opposition

Union minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday urged the opposition MPs who returned from Manipur to join a discussion in Parliament on the ethnic violence in the northeastern state and share their experiences from the visit. The Union information and broadcasting minister accused the opposition members of running away from discussion in Parliament when the government had offered a debate on the ethnic violence in the state after the Monsoon session began on July 20. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already made a strong statement on the atrocities against women in Manipur, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh before the Parliament convened for the current session. "It is my appeal to the opposition members to tell the entire nation how Manipur used to burn for six months under Congress rule, hundreds of lives would be lost and yet no home minister or prime minister made any statement in Parliament," Thakur said. The opposition has been demanding a statement from the prime minis

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Mamata assures Manipur people of help, urges them to embrace peace

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Sunday urged the people of ethnic strife affected Manipur to embrace peace for the sake of humanity. She also assured the people of the northeastern state of standing by their side. "My heart aches deeply upon hearing the heart-wrenching stories from Manipur. Human lives should never endure the agonies of hatred's cruel experiments. Yet, in the face of silence from those in power, let us find solace in knowing that INDIA will mend wounds and rekindle the flame of humanity," Banerjee tweeted. A delegation of MPs from the opposition bloc INDIA, of which the TMC is a part, visited Manipur for two days since Saturday. "I earnestly plead to Manipur's brave brothers and sisters to embrace peace for the sake of humanity. We stand beside you, offering unwavering support and compassion," she said. More than 160 people lost their lives and several hundreds were injured since ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on M

INDIA bloc to stage statewide protests in J'khand on Tuesday over Manipur

The opposition bloc INDIA will stage statewide protests in Jharkhand on August 1 to oppose the incident of parading of two women in strife-torn Manipur and press for its demand to impose President's Rule in the northeastern state. The decision was taken during the alliance's state-level meeting in Congress Bhavan here. Speaking to reporters after presiding over the meeting, state Congress chief Rajesh Thakur on Sunday said, "We have decided to stage a demonstration near Raj Bhavan in Ranchi and collectorates of other districts in the state on August 1 to protest the incident of parading of women in Manipur." "We will also submit a memorandum to the President through the Jharkhand governor and urge her to immediately impose President's Rule in the northeastern state," he said. Thakur alleged that the "double-engine governments at the Centre and Manipur" have failed to stop crimes against women in the northeastern state. "The INDIA alliance cannot tolerate further assault on women i

Govt failed to control Manipur strife, PM shows brazen indifference: Oppn

Stating that the government machinery has completely failed to control the Manipur ethnic conflict, which is lingering for nearly three months, opposition bloc INDIA on Sunday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "silence", showing "brazen indifference" to the ongoing situation in the northeastern state. In a memorandum submitted to Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey, the 21 opposition MPs who signed the document demanded urgent rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected people to bring peace and harmony to the state. "From the reports of incessant firing and arson of houses in the last few days, it is established beyond doubt that the state machinery has completely failed to control the situation for the last almost three months," the memorandum read. The continued internet ban for the last three months is aiding the unsubstantiated rumours, which is adding to the existing mistrust among the communities, the Parliamentarians said. "Silence of Hon'ble Prime Minister show

If Manipur issue is not resolved soon, may create security problems: Adhir

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Sunday asserted that if the Manipur ethnic conflict is not resolved soon, it may create security problems for the country. A delegation of opposition INDIA bloc alliance MPs called on Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey at Raj Bhavan and submitted a memorandum on their observations after visiting the northeastern state. Addressing reporters outside Raj Bhavan after the meeting, the Congress leader said, "The governor heard our observations and agreed to those. She expressed sorrow over the incidents of violence and suggested that an all-party delegation should visit Manipur to talk to people to remove mistrust among communities." Chowdhury said that the visiting MPs will present their observations on Manipur in Parliament. "We have requested a discussion on Manipur in Parliament as the situation is deteriorating every day," he said. The opposition delegation of 21 MPs arrived in Manipur on Saturday to assess the ground situation and meet victi

Opposition delegation reaches Raj Bhawan to meet Manipur Governor

The 21-member delegation of the grand Opposition alliance, on Saturday, arrived on a two-day visit of the state, which has seen ethnic strife and violence since May 4