Page 18 - Violence

Protests held in various parts of Bengal turn violent over panchayat polls

Protests were held in different parts of West Bengal on Sunday against the violence that rocked the panchayat elections and over allegations of irregularities. In Purba Medinipur district, BJP workers blocked the Haldia-Mecheda state highway at Nandakumar alleging that ballot boxes were being tampered with at the counting centre at Srikrishnapur High School. "We received information around 3 am that the ballot boxes were being changed. We are demanding repolling at all the booths in the area under the protection of central forces, besides counting of votes at the booths itself," said Tamas Dinda, a leader of the BJP's youth wing in Tamluk. As the situation escalated, police baton-charged the protesters to bring the situation under control, officer-in-charge of Nandakumar police station Manoj Kumar Jha told PTI. Congress workers blocked the National Highway 12 in Rathbari area in Malda, protesting against the violence during polling on Saturday. "We have hit the streets in protest

Left MPs to raise Manipur issue in Parliament, oppose US envoy's remarks

Visiting Left MPs on Saturday said they would raise the issue of continuing violence in Manipur in the monsoon session of Parliament while condemning US Ambassador Eric Garcetti's comment on the state. The delegation of CPI(M) and CPI MPs who were on a three-day visit also said to begin a peace initiative in the northeastern state, what is needed is instilling trust and confidence among all sections of the people. CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member Bikash Bhattacharya claimed that the central and state governments have failed miserably in resolving the problem in Manipur. The PM has not said anything though Manipur is burning for more than two months. This shows his gross carelessness for the people of the state. We will definitely raise the Manipur issue in Parliament, Bhattacharya said. CPI(M) MP John Brittas added, "To start the peace process, we have to instil trust and confidence among all the sections. The present government has lost its legitimacy. He also demanded that Chief Minist

Bengal governor takes stock of panchayat polls, meets bomb-attack victim

As part of his assurance to monitor the situation in West Bengal where panchayat polls are being held, Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose on Saturday visited the residence of a person who was injured in a bomb attack in North 24 Parganas' Barasat-I subdivision. After speaking to his family members at Pirgachha, Bose went to the hospital in Barasat where the person is being treated and talked to doctors, an official said. "The Governor then arranged for the shifting of the person to city-based RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. He also took stock of the situation and enquired about polling," he told PTI. Bose, who was supposed to travel to Nadia district, was stopped near Basudebpur on Kalyani Expressway by supporters of the BJP and CPI(M) who complained about "vote looting" and urged him to take action. Bose tried calling officials of the state election commission (SEC) and police but could not because of mobile connectivity issues, the official said. He later stopped at a rest house at

Manipur violence: Mob sets ablaze two vehicles in Imphal, firing reported

A mob torched two vehicles in Imphal West district while an exchange of fire was reported in Imphal East district, as violence continued in Manipur, officials said on Saturday. A group of people burnt two private vehicles at Mahabali Road near the historic Kangla fort as they suspected those four-wheelers were being used for ferrying household goods to a particular ethnic community on Friday night, they said. The police intervened and the mob dispersed. Drivers of both vehicles managed to flee and there was no casualty. There was an intermittent exchange of fire at Laikot near Yaingangpokpi in Imphal West district between two communities late Friday night. The incidents occurred after four people including a Manipur police commando were shot dead and several others injured in separate places in Bishnupur district. The policeman was killed in a gun battle with suspected militants at Moirang Turel Mapan in the evening, while three others lost their lives in the wee hours in villages

Woman shot dead outside a school in Manipur's Imphal West district

A woman was shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside a school in Manipur's Imphal West district on Thursday morning, officials said. They said she had gone near the school at Kwakeithel Mayai Koibi under Lamphel police station on some work but was not connected with any school. The incident occurred a day after classes 1 to 8 began in the state after two months because of the violence. Following the killing, a tribal organisation demanded imposition of President's Rule in the northeastern state. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) identified the woman as Donngaihching, a mentally ill person who lived on alms provided by locals. We again urge the central government to relieve the incapable state government and impose President's Rule immediately, the ITLF said in a statement. More than 100 people have lost their lives and over 3,000 injured since ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3, when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest

Oppn walk out from Parl panel meet after demand to discuss Manipur denied

Opposition members of the parliamentary standing committee on Home walked out of a meeting on Thursday after their demand to discuss the situation in Manipur was denied by the panel chief, sources said. At the meeting to discuss prison reforms in Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, TMC's Derek O'Brien, and Congress' Digvijaya Singh and Pradip Bhattacharya submitted a joint letter to panel chairman Brijlal, saying as committee members they cannot ignore the situation in Manipur, the sources said. The letter signed by all three MPs said that as members of the Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, it is their moral and constitutional responsibility to discuss this matter with utmost urgency and the requited sincerity. "Having been a senior police officer yourself, you understand the gravity of the situation in the state. Manipur needs healing and an end to the violence. We as elected representatives cannot look away," they said. They further said t

Two armed groups come face to face in Manipur, security forces deescalate

Security forces thwarted clashes in Manipur's Kangpokpi district where two armed groups gathered and fired a few rounds, sources said on Thursday. The incident happened around 3.40 pm on Wednesday near Phaileng village, they said. Armed groups from Mapao and Awang Sekmai areas gathered in the area, escalating the tensions, they added. A few rounds were fired, but soon personnel of the Assam Rifles reached the area and brought the situation under control. Sources said women, however, blocked the roads to prevent the forces from reaching the area. In Churachandpur, a large number of Kukis staged a protest. The rally started at Public Ground and continued till Tuibong Peace Ground. Nearly 4,000 people participated in the rally, and most of them were in 'combat' dress with camouflage on their faces, sources said. No untoward incident was reported during the rally, which went on till 7 pm on Wednesday.

Schools reopen in Manipur after 2 months, attendance thin on first day

: After remaining shut for more than a couple of months because of ethnic clashes, schools reopened across Manipur on Wednesday. Though attendance in most institutes was extremely low on the first day, students, parents and guardians welcomed the state government's decision to resume classes. Chief Minister N Biren Singh had on Monday announced the government's decision to reopen schools up to class 8 from July 5. Most students with whom PTI interacted were happy to get back to school. Class 1 student Linthoi said, "I am very happy. Finally, after a two-month wait, I will be able to meet my friends and teachers. Moreover, I will learn new things. She said the shutting down of schools had made her life extremely idle and boring. Several students said the state government should take steps to ensure that schools remain open for at least a few hours daily even if the situation is tense. Bhabesh Sharma, father of a class 4 student, hoped that the situation remains normal for classes

Two incidents of intermittent firing in Manipur, no casualties reported

Intermittent firings were witnessed in two places in Manipur, the latest being in the early hours of Wednesday, but no casualties have been reported so far, security sources said here. The first incident of intermittent firing was reported between two communities in the Khoijumtambi area from 7 pm to 8 pm on Tuesday, they said. The exchange of fire stopped after some time, the sources said, adding that no casualty was reported. The other incident was reported around 4.30 am on Wednesday along the ridge line, East of Phaileng. There was no report of any casualty in this as well, the sources said. So far, nearly 120 people have lost their lives and over 3,000 have been injured in the ethnic violence that broke out in Manipur on May 3. The violent clashes took place after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the state for four days last month

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Govt not doing enough to quell violence, initiate dialogue in Manipur: NFIW

After its three-member delegation visited Manipur, the women's wing of CPI on Monday alleged that the ongoing disturbance in the northeastern state is not communal but "state-sponsored" as the government has been acting as an "onlooker" and has not done enough to quell violence. At a press conference in the national capital, National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) General Secretary Annie Raja said the BJP governments in the state and at the Centre should take responsibility for the situation. Its activists urged the government to initiate dialogue and restore peace in the state. They demanded that the government disarm all groups and individuals, initiate confidence-building measures, register FIRs at the earliest, and urgently improve conditions in the relief camps. According to NFIW, its team was in Manipur from June 28 to July 1. They visited three relief camps and a government hospital in Imphal East, two camps in Moirang of Bishnupur, the District Collector's office there a

Manipur insurgent groups lift blockade to ensure supply of commodities

The insurgent groups, in a press statement, further said that Manipur has been witnessing ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki Zo communities since May 3, 2023

France faces 5th night of rioting over teen's killing by cops, 719 arrested

Young rioters clashed with police late Saturday and early Sunday and targeted a mayor's home with a burning car as France faced a fifth night of unrest sparked by the police killing of a teenager, but overall violence appeared to lessen compared to previous nights. Police made 719 arrests nationwide by early Sunday after a mass security deployment aimed at quelling France's worst social upheaval in years. The fast-spreading crisis is posing a new challenge to President Emmanuel Macron's leadership and exposing deep-seated discontent in low-income neighborhoods over discrimination and lack of opportunity. The 17-year-old whose death Tuesday spawned the anger, identified by his first name Nahel, was laid to rest Saturday in a Muslim ceremony in his hometown of Nanterre, a Paris suburb where emotion over his loss remains raw. As night fell over the French capital, a small crowd gathered on the Champs-Elysees for a protest over Nahel's death and police violence but met hundreds of ...

Bengal Guv supervises situation in Cooch Behar after fresh clashes reported

West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose supervised the situation in poll violence-hit Cooch Behar district, where fresh overnight clashes were reported, officials said. Five people were injured in the clashes that took place in Dinhata area on Saturday night. A TMC candidate's kin was among those injured, police said. Bose monitored the situation throughout the night from Cooch Behar circuit house, where he is staying, and issued instructions to State Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha, SP and District Magistrate, officials said. "The governor on Sunday morning visited the hospital where the five injured people are undergoing treatment and may also visit the spot where the clashes took place," a senior official of the Raj Bhavan told PTI over the phone. Bose also spoke with the hospital authorities and asked them to ensure best treatment to the injured people. He dialed the DM and SP of Cooch Behar and asked them to maintain law and order and arrest the culprits. Bose, who is on a

Congress' Rahul Gandhi travels to Manipur's Moirang to visit relief camps

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is travelling to Manipur's Moirang on Friday to visit relief camps in the town, party officials said. Gandhi will also meet intellectuals and civil society representatives in Imphal during the day, besides visiting relief camps in the capital of Manipur, they said. On Thursday, he had visited relief camps in Churachandpur, one of the worst affected towns in the ethnic rioting, which has plagued the northeastern state for the last two months. High drama ensued during the trip, as his convoy of cars was stopped at Bishnupur by the local police, fearing the carcade may face attacks. Gandhi eventually turned back and flew down to Churachandpur by a helicopter. The Congress leader is on a two-day visit to Manipur to bring a healing touch to local communities.

Manipur doesn't need visit by leaders to exacerbate fault lines: Assam CM

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the situation in Manipur demands bridging differences through compassion and not a visit by a political leader to exacerbate the fault lines, in an apparent reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's daylong trip to the ethnic strife-torn state. Sarma, who is also the convenor of the North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), the NDA's northeast chapter, said Gandhi's visit to Manipur is nothing but media hype and at this point, no one should try to take political mileage from the northeastern state's "tragic" situation. "Situation in Manipur demands bridging differences through compassion. It's not in the nation's interest for a political leader to use his so-called visit to exacerbate fault lines. Both the communities of the state have clearly rejected such attempts," Sarma said in a tweet. Talking to reporters, Sarma said the state and central governments are handling the Manipur situation and such daylong visits, such as ...

France to deploy 40,000 officers to quell violence after police shot teen

France's government vowed to restore order on Thursday after two nights of urban violence triggered by the deadly police shooting of a 17-year-old, announcing it would deploy tens of thousands more officers and crack down on neighborhoods where buildings and vehicles were torched. Bus and rail services were shutting down at 9 pm (1900 GMT; 3 pm EDT) to safeguard transportation workers and passengers, a decision sure to impact untold thousands of travellers in the French capital and its suburbs. Our transports are not targets for thugs and vandals! Valerie Pecresse, head of the Paris region tweeted. France's government says it would deploy 40,000 police officers and take a zero-tolerance approach in neighbourhoods where buildings and vehicles were torched. Ministers fanned out to areas scarred by the sudden flare-up of rioting, appealing for calm but also warning that the violence that injured scores of police and damaged nearly 100 public buildings wouldn't be allowed to continue.

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 -- ...

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to visit violence-hit Manipur today: AICC

The Congress has been making scathing attacks against the BJP governments, both at the Centre and in the state of Manipur, over their handling of the violence