The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which gives armed forces operating in disturbed areas sweeping powers and immunity from prosecution unless approved by the Centre, was on Sunday extended for six months in entire Manipur, except the jurisdictions of 13 police stations, in view of the law and order situation there. The AFSPA, which is imposed in areas declared "disturbed", has also been extended to eight districts in Nagaland and 21 police station areas in five other districts of the state for six months, according to a notification issued by the Union home ministry. The law was also extended to Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts in Arunachal Pradesh and three police station areas in Namsai district in the state for six months beginning April 1. The AFSPA, often criticised as a draconian law, gives armed forces operating in disturbed areas sweeping powers to search, arrest and open fire if they deem it necessary. "Whereas the central government after review of the law and
An earthquake of 3.8 magnitude hit Manipur's Noney district on Saturday, officials said. There was no immediate report of any loss of life or damage to property, they said. The earthquake took place at 2.31 pm, and the location was in Noney district of the northeastern state, the National Center for Seismology said. The depth of the quake was 10 km, it said. The northeastern states fall in the high seismic zone, and earthquakes frequently hit the region.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said the situation in Manipur is now relatively peaceful and the government is holding discussions with the Meitei and the Kuki communities, who are also talking among themselves, for establishing lasting peace. He also said the President's rule was imposed in Manipur at an appropriate time to restore normalcy in the state. "Now situation is relatively peaceful. Normal life has resumed. The Home Ministry has held separate meetings with both the communities. Both the communities have also talked to each other. Gradually things are moving in positive direction. There is no reason for worry now," he said at Times Now Summit, 2025, on Friday night. The home minister said this is not the first time the state is witnessing ethnic violence. It has endured such strife in the past, and even for longer durations like three to four years, he said. Asked whether there was a delay in the imposition of the central rule in Manipur, Shah said it was easier to comm
Authorities are conducting high-level security coordination meetings to strategise further search operations
Representatives of at least 13 political parties met in Imphal on Tuesday, and resolved to urge the Centre to defer the delimitation exercise in the state directed by the Supreme Court until the "errors" in the 2001 Census are rectified. The BJP and the Congress stayed away from the meeting, which was attended by representatives of NPP, JD(U), CPI(M), RPI (Athawale), Manipur Peoples' Party, CPI, TMC, AAP, NCP(SCP), Shiv Sena, BSP, Forward Bloc, and RSP. The Supreme Court on March 17 granted three months to the Centre for carrying out the delimitation exercise in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur. "Leaders of various political parties participated in the discussions, aimed at addressing concerns and formulating a collective approach regarding the upcoming delimitation process. Based on that, it was resolved that no delimitation be conducted till the errors in the 2001 Census are rectified," NPP state president Y Joykumar told reporters after the meeting. "It was also resolved
Authorities suspect the arrested cadres were involved in subversive activities and are investigating their links to recent insurgent operations in the region
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Sunday said progress has been made in the process of restoring peace in Manipur and there was a need to move further ahead. He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here to mark the 12th anniversary of the establishment of the Manipur High Court. On alleged discovery of cash at the residence of Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma, the minister said the country's top court was probing the matter. "The Supreme Court is probing the matter... let the report of the committee come... we will talk after that." Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Saturday constituted a three-member committee to conduct an in-house inquiry into allegations against Justice Varma from whose official residence a large stash of cash was allegedly discovered after a fire, and directed that no judicial work be assigned to him. On Manipur violence, the minister said the situation in the strife-torn state was improving. "We have progressed in the pr
Justice B R Gavai, who led a delegation of Supreme Court judges that visited Manipur on Saturday, called upon people of the ethnic strife-torn state to work together to restore peace and harmony. Gavai, along with Supreme Court judges Vikram Nath, M M Sundresh and K V Vishwanathan, visited a relief camp in Churachandpur district and met internally displaced persons, officials said. They also virtually inaugurated a legal services camp, a medical camp and a legal aid clinic from the Mini Secretariat at Lamka in the district, they said. Chief Justice of Manipur High Court, Justice D Krishnakumar, and Justice Golmei Gaiphulshilu were also present. Addressing the gathering, Justice Gavai said, "The Constitution of India guarantees equal rights to all citizens of the country." He also urged the people of the state to restore peace and normalcy. He said that the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), of which he is the executive chairman, has sanctioned Rs 2.5 crore for providing r
The situation in Manipur's curfew-bound Churachandpur district remained tense on Thursday, two days after clashes between the Hmar and Zomi communities left one dead and several injured, police said. Schools and shops remained shut, while church leaders and civil society groups worked to restore peace, an official told PTI. Security personnel conducted flag marches on Wednesday night to prevent further violence. At least one person, 51-year-old Lalropui Pakhuangte from the Hmar community, was killed in Tuesday night's clashes. He suffered bullet injuries and was taken to Sielmat Christian Hospital, where he was declared dead. The clashes between the two tribes started after Hmar Inpui general secretary Richard Hmar was attacked by some Zomi people on Sunday, leading to violence and imposition of curfew in the district the next day. Meanwhile, several displaced people from the Kuki community in relief camps were moved to safer locations. Churachandpur town is mainly home to Zomi
Several persons were injured as fresh clashes broke out between people belonging to Zomi and Hmar tribes in Manipur's Churachandpur district, an official said on Wednesday. The clashes took place in Churachandpur town late on Tuesday, just hours after a peace settlement was reached between the apex bodies of the two communities. The fresh clashes erupted after a group of men tried to take down a flag of a Zomi militant outfit in the town. Soon, mobs of men armed with batons engaged in stone pelting, prompting security personnel to fire tear gas shells and several rounds in the air to disperse the crowds, he said. Security forces had a trying time in controlling the mobs that vandalised several properties even as shots were also fired by some people in the crowds at their rivals, the official said. "It is not yet clear who fired the shots," he added. Security forces conducted flag marches in the town and were keeping a strict vigil on the situation, urging people to remain indoors
NALSA said that the proposed visit of judges highlights the ongoing need for legal and humanitarian assistance to the affected communities of the violence-hit state
The Centre highlights a decade of development under PM Modi, while the Opposition criticises its handling of Manipur unrest and the PM's continued absence from the state
Parliament on Tuesday approved the supplementary demands for grants, which entails Rs 51,463 crore additional spending in the current fiscal and the Manipur Budget for 2025-26 with the Rajya Sabha returning four bills to the Lok Sabha. Parliament also approved the Rs 1,291 crore demands for excess grants for 2021-22 fiscal and the Rs 1,861 crore supplementary demands for grants for Manipur in 2024-25. The Lok Sabha had passed the supplementary demands for grants and the Manipur Budget for 2025-26 on March 11. The Rajya Sabha returned The Appropriation Bill, 2025; The Appropriation (No. 2) Bill, 2025; The Manipur Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill, 2025; and The Manipur Appropriation Bill, 2025, after the reply by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to a discussion on the four bills. The second batch of supplementary demands for grants entails a gross additional spending sought by the government was over Rs 6.78 lakh crore, of which Rs 6.27 lakh crore would be matched by savings a
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna also extended till July 31, 2025, the tenure of a committee headed by Justice Gita Mittal
Earlier, on March 10, security forces dismantled 5 illegal bunkers in Kukimun village and Lamdan Kuki village in Bishnupur district
Manipur remained tense but under control in the past 24 hours as security forces conducted search operations in sensitive areas
A civil society organisation of Meiteis on Thursday claimed that MHA Advisor for North East A K Mishra has told them that the Centre has prepared a roadmap for peace in ethnic strife-hit Manipur. Federation of Civil Society (FOCS) Spokesperson Ngangbam Chamchan Singh told reporters here on Thursday that Mishra told them on Wednesday that the first phase of the roadmap for peace in Manipur has already been implemented. Singh said, "A FOCS delegation met the MHA Advisor and other officials at the Old Secretariat (in Imphal) on Wednesday following an invitation during which Mishra informed them that the Centre has prepared a roadmap to end the ongoing conflict in the state and it will be implemented in phases." The FOCS spokesperson said, "Mishra informed us that the roadmap includes surrender of weapons, reopening of roads, and curbing activities of armed groups. In connection with this, on February 20, the governor had called for the surrender of all arms. Movement of all people on a
The state, currently under President's rule, has seen an increase of 9 per cent in the total capital outlay to ₹7,773 crore over the current financial year ending March 2025
Parliament’s Budget session resumes today, with key bills and heated debates expected. Watch the video for a rundown of the important bills up for discussion.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday tabled in the Lok Sabha the Manipur budget for 2025-26, envisaging an expenditure of Rs 35,103.90 crore, up from Rs 32,656.81 crore in the current financial year. Manipur is currently under the President's Rule. The total receipts have been pegged at Rs 35,368.19 crore, up from Rs 32,471.90 crore in 2024-25. According to documents, the capital outlay has been increased by 19 per cent to Rs 7,773 crore over the current financial year ending March 2025. Manipur's budget provides for over Rs 2,000 crore under Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) and Rs 9,520 crore for social sector outlay. For relief and rehabilitation for internally displaced persons, Rs 15 crore has been provided for temporary shelter to them; Rs 35 crore towards housing for displaced people, Rs 100 crore for relief operation, and Rs 7 crore for compensation. A budgetary allocation of Rs 2,866 crore for 2025-26 has been made towards incentives fo