Page 61 - Manipur

Violence in Manipur a result of govt policy of 'dividing the people': CPI

The CPI has urged the Centre to initiate dialogue in Manipur, alleging that the violence that has broken out in the state is the result of the policy of "dividing the people". Clashes broke out in the state after a demonstration by tribal groups against a move to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the Meiteis that the residents of the hills had been enjoying for decades since Independence. In a statement on Friday, the Left party said the reports of violence and arson coming from Manipur are matters of serious concern for the entire nation. "The ongoing turmoil in Manipur is a direct result of the policy of dividing the people pursued by the so-called 'double-engine' government of the BJP. Divide and strife between people were encouraged for electoral gains and has resulted in a strategically located state like Manipur being engulfed by all-encompassing violence. "This violence has a background of divisions and it cannot be controlled enduringly by using force. This is testimony to th

Manipuris in Assam's Guwahati protests against violence, demand action

Manipuri people, residing in Assam's Guwahati, staged a demonstration here on Friday, demanding action against those involved in violence in their state. Hundreds of people, mainly belonging to Meitei community, participated in the protest in Manipur Basti area here. The protesters under the banner of Manipur Co-ordination Committee, Guwahati, displayed placards with messages such as 'peace in Manipur should not be at the cost of our survival', 'no ST no rest' and 'no compromise on ST status for Meities, it is for our survival' written on these. They raised slogans like 'refugees, go back' and demanded identification of culprits behind the clashes in Manipur and exemplary punishment for them. In a press release, the co-ordination committee, an umbrella organisation of several Manipur civil society entities, appealed to all stakeholders to maintain peace and harmony in the neighbouring state. They expressed apprehension that more than 1,000 houses were burnt and many were killed in

Manipur violence: Long-standing issue of ST status for Meitei torches state

The clashes in Manipur broke out between tribals and the majority Meitei community, following which 9,000 people have been displaced from their villages

Fulfil duty towards Manipur instead of campaigning in K'taka: Cong to PM

The Congress on Friday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfil his duty towards violence-hit Manipur instead of being busy in election campaign in Karnataka and sought Home Minister Amit Shah's sacking for his "complete failure" in maintaining peace in the northeastern state. The Congress also demanded President's rule in Manipur, which has been hit by violence between tribals and the majority Meitei community. "Modi ji, you are an elected prime minister of the country and the people of Karnataka are also watching what is happening in Manipur and want that you should save Manipur from burning and restore peace in the state first. "Seeking votes in Karnataka is against your 'kartavya' (duty) and we want to remind you that your duty is to save Manipur instead," Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said. She charged that the home minister has totally failed, and referred to an earlier clash between police forces of Assam and Mizoram and the border rift between Maharashtra and .

Mizoram taking steps to evacuate people stranded in Manipur: Zoramthanga

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga Friday said that his government is taking steps to evacuate people from the state stranded in violence-hit Manipur. Zoramthanga also assured the safety of the people of Manipur living in Mizoram. He urged the central and Manipur governments to make more efforts to end the mob violence in the northeastern state. "Efforts are on to charter flights to evacuate the state's residents, especially students and employees stranded in the neighbouring state," the Mizoram chief minister said in a statement. Zoramthanga said that he has urged Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh to ensure safe return of tribal people stranded in capital Imphal to their native villages in Churachandpur and other districts of the state and he assured of requisite steps. He had written to Biren Singh and also had a telephonic conversation with him on Thursday on the violent clashes in several parts of Manipur. He also spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and urged him to se

Amit Shah keeping close eye on Manipur situation, taking regular inputs

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is closely monitoring the situation in Manipur and is in constant touch with top functionaries of the state and central governments, sources said on Friday. Shah, who is staying put in the national capital, is also taking regular inputs from security and intelligence agencies about the Manipur situation, which remained peaceful but tense on Friday. The home minister is closely monitoring the Manipur situation and taking updates regularly from top functionaries of the state and central governments, sources said. On Thursday, Shah held two video conferences attended by the Manipur chief minister, the state's chief secretary, the police chief, the Union home secretary and other top officials of the central government. He also held telephonic conversations with chief ministers Neiphiu Rio of Nagaland, Zoramthanga of Mizoram and Himanta Biswa Sarma of Assam in view of the situation in Manipur on Thursday. Meanwhile, at least five Deputy Inspector General (

Sikkim CM urges his Manipur counterpart to take care of Sikkimeses people

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Friday spoke to his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh and urged him to take care of the Sikkimese students and citizens staying in the state. Singh assured Tamang that the Manipur government will provide all possible assistance to the Sikkimese students and citizens in Manipur, the Sikkim CM said in a social media post. "I urge all Sikkimese citizens in Manipur to remain calm and carry an identification card with them at all times," Tamang said, adding that the Sikkimese people should take care of their safety and well-being and remain indoors or in a safe location. Tamang said he was constantly monitoring the situation in Manipur and will do everything possible to ensure the safety of Sikkimese students and citizens and requested the parents, guardians and relatives not to panic. Tamang said that Rameshwar Singh, Manipur MLA and the PRO, Chief Minister's Office, RM Pradhan are coordinating and monitoring the situation. They can be contac

CRPF tasked to oversee security in violence-hit Manipur: Officials

At least five Deputy Inspector General (DIG) rank officers and seven senior superintendent of police (SSP) and SP rank officers of the CRPF have been tasked to coordinate deployment of various security forces in violence-hit Manipur, official sources said. The Centre has rushed in about 20 fresh companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), including the CRPF and the BSF, in the wake of the spiralling violence between tribals and the majority Meitei community leading to displacement of more than 9,000 people from their villages. The induction of the CAPF units apart from that of the Army columns and the Assam Rifles is going on. For this task, a total of five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) DIG rank officers and seven other commanders in the rank of Commandant (SSP rank) and second-in-command (SP rank) have been placed at the disposal of the Additional Director General (ADG) of the north east zone of the CRPF based in Guwahati and the Inspector General of the Manipur and

Shah cancels K'taka poll campaign; to closely monitor violence-hit Manipur

"The Union Home Minister Shah had discussion late at night with Manipur CM N Biren Singh and other top officials in view of the situation in state," report said

Northeastern Railway cancels all Manipur-bound trains following violence

In the wake of clashes in parts of Manipur, the Northeast Frontier Railways has cancelled all Manipur-bound trains considering the law and order situation in the Northeastern state."No trains are entering Manipur till the situation is improved. The decision has been taken after the Manipur government advised to stop train movement," Sabyasachi De, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northeast Frontier Railway told ANI.Meanwhile, the Indian railways have also cancelled the operations of four trains for May 5 and May 6 following violence in the state."Manipur state authorities have advised to stop train operations in Manipur due to the prevailing Law and Order situation there. 4 trains have been cancelled. The decision was taken initially only for May 5 and 6," the railways said.Moreover, army and paramilitary forces have been deployed in Manipur and flag marches are being held to control the situation after violence erupted broke out on May 3 during a rally organised by the All ...

Assam CM directs Cachar admin to take care of displaced Manipur families

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday directed the Cachar district administration to take care of Manipur violence-affected families that have sought refuge in the state. "Several families affected by the recent incidents in Manipur have sought refuge in Assam. I have requested the District Administration of #Cachar to take care of these families," the CM tweeted. Sarma said he was in constant touch with his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh. "I am also in constant communication with the HCM @NBirenSingh and have pledged the full support of the Assam Government during this hour of crisis," he said in the micro-blogging site. Manipur has witnessed violence since Wednesday with clashes between tribals and the majority Meitei community that has displaced over 9,000 people. Clashes broke out on Wednesday which intensified overnight with counter-attacks being mounted by rival communities in retaliation, after 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised to protest the Meitei ..

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Manipur situation under control, efforts underway to restore normalcy: Army

In the wake of clashes in parts of Manipur, the Indian Army said that the situation in Moreh and Kangpokpi areas was brought under control and is stable.The Indian Army further said that all efforts are underway to restore normalcy in Imphal and Churachandpur area."Situation in Moreh and Kangpokpi brought under control and it is stable. All efforts are underway to restore normalcy in Imphal and Churachandpur. The precautionary build-up of additional troops in Manipur continued," said Indian Army officials.Additional columns were also redeployed from Nagaland, they said."In addition, Indian Air Force will be undertaking flying operations to induct additional Indian Army columns commencing tonight from Guwahati and Tezpur," said Indian Army.Army and paramilitary forces have been deployed in Manipur and flag marches are being held to control the situation after violence erupted broke out on May 3 during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) Manipur to protest the ...

Meghalaya govt issues helpline for their students studying in Manipur

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma called an urgent meeting on Thursday to ensure the safety of students from Meghalaya following reports of violence in Manipur.In the meeting attended by senior government officials, the CM highlighted that the safety of all students must be ensured. He also directed the officials to come up with a plan for the evacuation of students if the situation arises.Sangma said that over 200 residents of Meghalaya are studying in Manipur and that the Government is putting in place a helpline for students or family members to reach out to in case of emergencies.The Army asked people to be careful about fake videos."Fake Videos on the security situation in Manipur including a video of an attack on Assam Rifles post being circulated by inimical elements for vested interests. #IndianArmy requests all to rely on content through official & verified sources only," the Spear Corps, indian Army said in a tweet.Earlier in the day, Manipur Chief Minister N ...

BJP's politics of hate responsible for Manipur violence: Congress

The Congress alleged on Thursday that "Manipur is burning" because the BJP has created fissures among communities with its "politics of hate", as Rahul Gandhi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to focus on restoring peace and normalcy in the northeastern state. The Congress also said Union Home Minister Amit Shah should be sacked in view of a total breakdown of law and order and constitutional machinery in Manipur, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government should be dismissed and President's Rule imposed. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge appealed to the people of Manipur to exercise restraint and let peace prevail. "Manipur is burning. BJP has created fissures among communities and destroyed the peace of a beautiful state," Kharge wrote on Twitter. "BJP's politics of hate, division and its greed for power is responsible for this mess. We appeal to people from all sides to exercise restraint and give peace a chance," he said. In a tweet, Gandhi said he was deeply .

Manipur violence: Shah speaks to CMs of neighbouring states; holds 2 VCs

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday spoke to the chief ministers of the neighbouring states of Manipur and held two meetings with top central and state functionaries through video conference to review the situation there following violence between tribals and the majority Meitei community, sources said. The home minister, who is closely monitoring the situation in Manipur, held telephonic conversation with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio of Nagaland, Zoramthanga of Mizoram and Himanta Biswa Sarma of Assam), the sources said. In the morning, Shah had a telephonic conversation with Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh who briefed him about the prevailing situation in the state and steps being taken to restore normalcy. The home minister also had two video conference meetings to review the situation. They were attended by the Manipur chief minister, the state's chief secretary, police chief, the union home secretary and other top central government officials, the sources said. Follow

Urge PM Modi and Amit Shah to restore peace in Manipur: Bengal CM Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday expressed concern over the situation in violence-torn Manipur, and urged the prime minister and home minister to take steps to restore peace in the northeastern state. The Trinamool Congress supremo also urged the people of Manipur to stay calm and uphold peace. "I am deeply concerned about the situation in Manipur. Politics and elections can wait but our beautiful state of Manipur has to be protected first. I urge PM (Narendra) Modi and Amit Shah (home minister) to take steps to restore peace there. If we burn humanity today, we will cease to be a human tomorrow," Banerjee tweeted. The Manipur government on Thursday issued 'shoot at sight' orders in "extreme cases" to contain spiralling violence between tribals and the majority Meitei community, which has displaced over 9,000 people from their villages. Fifty-five columns of the Army and Assam Rifles had to be deployed to contain the widespread rioting that broke out across ..

Army continues flag marches in Manipur, govt issues 'shoot at sight' order

The Army and the Assam Rifles were continuing to conduct flag marches in violence-hit Manipur while additional soldiers were airlifted to the northeastern state, where the situation turned volatile

55 army columns deployed in Manipur, 9,000 people shifted to safer places

Fifty-five columns of the Army and Assam Rifles had to be deployed to contain widespread rioting that broke out across Manipur between tribals and the majority Meitei community, displacing over 9,000 people. The Army also kept some 14 columns on standby for deployment in case the situation flared up once again, a defence spokesperson said. The army and Assam Rifles staged flag marches in Khuga, Tampa, Khomaujanbba areas of Churachandpur. Flag marches were also carried out in Mantripukhri, Lamphel, Koeirangi area of Imphal Valley, and Sugnu in Kakching district on Thursday, the spokesperson said. Underlining the gravity of the violence, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and took stock of the situation in the state. The Centre, which is monitoring the situation in Manipur, has also dispatched teams of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), a specialised force to handle riots, for deployment in violence-hit areas of the Northeastern ...

BJP's politics of hate responsible for Manipur violence, Congress slams

The Congress on Thursday alleged that "Manipur is burning" as the BJP has created fissures among communities with its politics of hate, as Rahul Gandhi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to focus on restoring peace and normalcy in the state. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge appealed to the people of Manipur to exercise restraint and let peace prevail in the state. "Manipur is burning. BJP has created fissures among communities and destroyed the peace of a beautiful state," Kharge said on Twitter. "BJP's politics of hate, division and its greed for power is responsible for this mess. We appeal to people from all sides to exercise restraint and give peace a chance," he said. In a tweet, Gandhi said he was deeply concerned about Manipur's rapidly deteriorating law and order situation. "The Prime Minister must focus on restoring peace and normalcy. I urge the people of Manipur to stay calm," he said. Several columns of the Army and Assam Rifles had to be hurriedly deployed .