Page 23 - Northeast India

Rahul Gandhi arrives in Imphal for 2-day visit to violence-hit Manipur

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived at Imphal for a two-day visit to strife-torn Manipur on Thursday. He left for Churachandpur district where he will visit relief camps to meet people displaced by ethnic strife that rocked the northeastern state since early last month. Around 50,000 people are now staying in over 300 relief camps across the state since ethnic strife started in May this year. On Friday, Gandhi is scheduled to visit relief camps in Imphal and hold talks with certain civil society organisations, Congress sources said. More than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in the northeastern state so far. Clashes first broke out 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) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- ...

Ulta Rath Yatra mishap: CM Manik Saha announces compensation for victims

Seven people died and 16 others sustained severe burn injuries after being electrocuted during the Ulta Rath Yatra in Tripura's Unakoti district on Wednesday

Technology can bridge geographical barriers in healthcare sector: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday stressed the role of technology in bridging geographical barriers for delivering healthcare services to people in remote areas. He urged the medical community to take advantage of technological solutions for meeting the requirements of their patients. Sarma was speaking at a programme to mark the launch of six new projects in the healthcare sector in the state. "In a country like India with its large geographical expanse, it is not possible to have hospitals in all remote places or hamlets. We are trying to deliver healthcare at the doorsteps of the citizens. But in the meantime, technology is the only solution," he said. "I urge the medical community to take advantage of technology in reaching out to their patients," the chief minister added. He maintained that "geographical remoteness and lack of motivation" were major reasons for hospitals and doctors in certain parts of the state not performing according to their capability.

Changing nature of violence in Manipur is concern for HM: Biren

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed concern over changing nature of violence in the northeastern state. The union home minister is reportedly concerned over the shifting of violence and civil unrest from peripheral areas to districts in the Imphal valley. "The changing nature of violence from the exchange of fire in the peripheral areas to the civil unrest in the valley districts has become a matter of concern for Amit Shah ji," the chief minister told reporters here after his return from New Delhi late on Sunday night. Singh briefed Shah in New Delhi about the "evolving situation" in Manipur and said the state and central governments have been able to control the violence to a "great extent". "Shah raised issues such as the attacks on the house of Union Minister of State for External Affairs RK Ranjan Singh and the residence of state minister Sushindro Meitei, the ongoing arson and destruction of government properties and ...

Schools to resume classes in violence-hit Manipur from July 1: Officials

Schools will resume normal classes in violence-hit Manipur from July 1 instead of June 21 as announced earlier, officials said on Tuesday

Christian body writes to PM Modi seeking President's rule in Manipur

A Christian organisation based out of Kerala on Tuesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding imposition of President's rule in ethnic violence-hit Manipur

Manipur HC asks govt to provide limited internet in selected places

Manipur HC, in an interim order, directed state authorities to provide limited internet services to the public in some designated places under the control of the state authorities, sources said

Congress derides PM's silence on Manipur unrest after house of MoS torched

Congress on Friday slammed the Centre over the deteriorating law and order in violence-hit Manipur after a mob set Minister of State for External Affairs R.K. Ranjan Singh's house on fire in Imphal

Jettwings, new regional airline for northeast states, plans takeoff in Oct

In India, the first E175 jet with 12 business class and 64 economy seats was inducted by regional airline StarAir in May

Naga-Meitei stance on 'Manipur integration' triggers debate on unity, peace

In a major development, the Nagas of Manipur and the majority Meitei community have resolved to strive for maintaining territorial integrity of the violence-hit state

CBI forms SIT under DIG officer to probe Manipur violence, takes over probe

The CBI has formed a special investigation team (SIT) under a DIG-rank officer to probe six Manipur violence cases referred to it by the state government, officials said on Friday. During his visit to the northeastern state, Home Minister Amit Shah had announced a CBI probe to investigate six FIRs -- five on alleged criminal conspiracy and one on general conspiracy behind the violence in Manipur. Acting on a reference from the state routed through the Centre, the CBI has formed the SIT and taken over the investigation in the cases, they said. Violence broke out in the northeastern state after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. So far, nearly 100 people have lost their lives and over 300 were injured ever since the ethnic violence broke out over a month ago.

Earthquake of 3.7 magnitude felt in Assam, no property damage, loss of life

An earthquake of 3.7 magnitude was felt in Assam on Friday. No reports of loss of life or damage to property have been received yet.

Kukis accuse Meitei of ethnic violence in Manipur, demands separate state

The Kuki tribals in Manipur have again reiterated their demand to create a separate administration, equivalent to a separate state for them

Manipur situation peaceful, govt clears Rs 101 cr for displaced people

The Centre has approved a Rs 101.75 crore relief package for the displaced people in violence-hit Manipur following a directive of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, security advisor to the state government Kuldiep Singh said on Thursday. He also said the situation in Manipur remained peaceful and under control and there has been no incident of violence in the state in the last 48 hours. "To provide relief to the displaced people in Manipur, the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved Rs 101.75 crore relief package. During his recent Manipur visit, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had directed the state government to send a request to MHA for a relief package for displaced people," Singh said. In the last 24 hours, 27 arms, 245 ammunition and 41 bombs were recovered from the Porompat police station jurisdiction of Manipur's Imphal East district while one weapon and two bombs were seized in the state's Bishnupur district. A total of 896 arms, 11,763 ammunition and 200 bombs of different kind

Govt to build 25 km highway in Nagaland to improve northeast connectivity

The government is building a 25-km two-lane highway project in Nagaland to improve connectivity to northeastern states, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday. "We are currently undertaking the development of a 25 km two-lane highway with hard shoulders, spanning from Chakabama to Zunheboto, as part of package-3," the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways said. The main aim of this project is to bolster connectivity with neighbouring states in the northeast region, offering efficient, sustainable and economical transportation options for all commuters. In a separate statement, the minister said the government is engaged in the four-laning of the Sinnar-Shirdi section of NH-160, including the construction of the Sinnar Bypass, in Maharashtra. The work is part of the Bharatmala Pariyojna, he said. "This transformative project holds immense social significance, as it will serve as a dedicated route, or 'Marg,' for Sai Baba devotees making their pilgrimage to Shirdi on

Manipur govt extends ban on internet, including broadband till June 10

The Manipur government on Tuesday extended its ban on internet services till June 10. The suspension of mobile data services, including broadband, has been extended till 3 pm of June 10, an order issued by Commissioner (Home) H Gyan Prakash said. The ban was imposed on May 3. Nearly 98 people lost their lives and 310 others were injured in the ethnic violence in Manipur that broke out a month ago. A total of 37,450 people are currently sheltered in 272 relief camps Clashes first 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) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts. Around 10,000 Army and Assam Rifles personnel have been deployed in the state to bring back peace.

Mizoram, Assam provide asylum to 10,700 people from violence-hit Manipur

Since the violent ethnic strife broke out in Manipur on May 3, more than 10,700 people, mostly tribals, have taken shelter in Mizoram and southern Assam after being displaced from their state.

Mizoram forms panel to take care of issues of displaced people from Manipur

The Mizoram government has instituted a high-level committee headed by Home Minister Lalchamliana to deal with issues of internally displaced people (IDP) from strife-torn Manipur, an official said on Monday. A total of 9,501 IDPs from Manipur have taken shelter in different parts of Mizoram since the eruption of ethnic violence in the neighbouring state early last month, according to the Home Department. The official said the committee was formed on Sunday as per the instruction of Chief Minister Zoramthanga. Education Minister Lalchhandam Ralte has been appointed as the vice chairman of the committee, while Home Department Commissioner and Secretary H Lalengmawia is the member secretary, he said. The committee will also have Information and Public Relations Minister Lalruatkima, Supply Minister K Lalrinliana, Tourism Minister Robert Romawia Royte, officials of various departments and representatives of the Central Young Mizo Association (YMA), Mizoram Journalists' Association (MJ

Manipur violence: Centre sets up three-member panel to probe cause

The Centre on Sunday set up a Commission of Inquiry, headed by former chief justice of the Gauhati High Court Ajai Lamba, to probe the recent series of violence in Manipur that claimed more than 80 lives. According to a notification issued by the Union Home Ministry, the commission will make inquiry with respect of the causes and spread of the violence and riots targeting members of different communities, which took place in Manipur on May 3 and thereafter. It will probe the sequence of events leading to, and all the facts relating to such violence; whether there were any lapses or dereliction of duty in this regard on the part of any of the responsible authorities/individuals and adequacy of the administrative measures taken to prevent, and to deal with the violence and riots. The inquiry by the commission shall look into the complaints or allegations that may be made before it by any individual or association. The commission shall submit its report to the central government as so

Manipur, Northeast, New Delhi

There are three things you never do in a small NE state: Undermine local leaders, divide and rule, push homogenisation