Page 21 - Violence

Biren Singh says 40 militants killed; fresh clashes break out in Manipur

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday said nearly 40 armed militants involved in torching houses and firing at civilians have been killed by security forces since they began an operation to bring peace to the north eastern state beset by ethnic rioting. Singh's comments came in the backdrop of fresh clashes breaking out between armed groups and security forces at over half a dozen places across Manipur on Sunday, The Chief Minister who was interacting with the media persons at the state secretariat, claimed the latest round of conflict is not between communities but between Kuki militants and security forces. Singh also said that there had been cases of armed militants firing at civilians with AK-47s, M-16 and sniper rifles. These militants were targeted by security forces in counter-attacks. The CM appealed to the public not to hinder the movement of security personnel and urged them to have "faith in the government and support the security forces." We have experienced .

Just to remind him, he holds metaphoric Sengol: Chidambaram's dig at Modi

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the recent violence in Manipur, saying that the PM has "not uttered a word" on the matter and just to remind him, he holds the "metaphoric Sengol" in his hand. Clashes broke out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The violence was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations. In a tweet, Chidambaram said it is more than three weeks since violence broke out in Manipur and at least 75 people are dead. "The Hon'ble PM has not uttered a word so far. Nor has he made an appeal for peace and harmony. Just to remind him, he holds the metaphoric Sengol in his hand," the former home minister said. His remarks come amid a war of words between the Congress and the BJP over the .

Three incidents of violence reported in Kadangband of Imphal West district

Security was tightened in the area after the violence, the officials added

Manipur govt extends internet suspension for 5 more days to maintain peace

The Manipur govt extended the suspension of internet services for another five days following reports of arson incidents and to prevent spreading of rumours and videos, photos, and messages

Violence-hit Manipur facing acute shortage of life-saving drugs: Report

The MCDA had earlier raised the issue with Manipur Health Minister Sapam Ranjan, but no concrete steps have been taken thus far

Internet restored in Maharashtra's Akola, curfew in select areas to remain

Internet services in Maharashtra's Akola city, where one person was killed and eight others were injured in a communal clash last Saturday, were restored and shops opened on Tuesday but the curfew will remain in force in select areas for now, a senior officer said. Police have so far arrested 115 people in connection with the violence that erupted on May 13 night in the sensitive Old City area over a social media post and registered six cases at the Old City and Ramdas Peth police stations. On Tuesday, Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Sanjay Saxena, inspected the riot-affected areas in the old city and Dabki Road. He also interacted with citizens. "Shops which were shut due to violence reopened today. Internet services are restored. However, a curfew will remain in force from 8 pm to 8 am in areas under the limits of Old City and Dabki Road police stations," Akola (city) superintendent of police Sandip Ghuge told reporters. A heavy security force is deployed in

Day after riots in Maha's Akola, Internet cut off, uneasy calm prevails

A day after riots erupted in Maharashtra's Akola, the police have shut off Internet services to prevent rumour-mongering even as the violence left one dead and nine more injured

Violent clash between 2 groups in Maharashtra's Akola, Section 144 imposed

A violent clash erupted between two groups over a minor dispute in the Old City police station area of Maharashtra's Akola on Saturday evening, the police said

After defeat, PM, HM should focus on restoring peace in Manipur: Congress

NECCC said that after the defeat in the Karnataka Assembly polls, Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah should follow 'Raj Dharma' and focus on restoring peace in violence-hit Manipur

Manipur violence seems pre-planned, President's Rule must be imposed: Cong

The Congress on Thursday alleged that the Manipur violence seemed "pre-planned" and demanded immediate imposition of President's Rule in the state to help restore peace and normalcy. Congress spokesperson and the party's in-charge for Manipur, Bhakta Charan Das, also demanded compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the violence and Rs 5 lakh for those whose houses were destroyed. The injured should be treated immediately and safe space needs to be created for people to return to their homes and neighbourhoods, he told a press conference. "The BJP government has utterly failed to control the situation (in Manipur). It has been unable to stop violence, unable to stop weapons from being looted or recover them, unable to rescue innocent people and unable to provide facilities to those in relief camps," Das said. "In this situation, we demand that President's Rule be immediately imposed to stop these incidents (of violence) which are happening even now," he said

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif says protesters to be dealt with 'iron fist'

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday condemned the deadly protests by the supporters of former premier Imran Khan after his arrest in a corruption case and warned to deal with demonstrators with an iron fist. The prime minister made a brief address to the nation after the country was rocked by deadly violence during the last two days which saw attacks on military installations and state properties. Attack on public property is an act of terrorism and enmity towards the country, the prime minister said, adding that those taking the law into their own hands would be dealt with an iron fist. They will be given an exemplary punishment, he said. The premier said the protection of the State and ideology of Pakistan is more precious to us than our lives and we will not allow anyone to conspire against it and vowed to defeat the "nefarious designs of enemies.

Supreme Court Bar Association expresses concern over Manipur violence

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) expressed concern on Wednesday over the recent ethnic violence that rocked Manipur, leaving at least 60 people dead. The executive committee of the SCBA, at its meeting held on Wednesday, unanimously voiced its concern over the incidents of violence in the northeastern state and expressed solidarity with the victims. "Supreme Court Bar Association is in touch with the High Court Bar Association of Manipur and would extend financial assistance as and when required," a release issued by the bar body read. Concerned over the huge loss of lives and property, the top court had asked the Centre and the Manipur government on Monday to step up the relief-and-rehabilitation efforts for those hit by the ethnic violence, besides protecting places of worship, many of which were targeted during the mayhem. At least 60 people have been killed in the clashes between the tribals living in the Manipur hills and the majority Meitei community residing in the .

Long-festering problem

Violence in Manipur reveals govt failures

Many from community stuck in violence-hit areas of Manipur: Meitei groups

Several members of the Meitei community are stuck in the violence-hit Churachandpur district of Manipur, its fellow members here said on Tuesday. People's Alliance for Peace and Progress Manipur and Delhi Manipuri Society, organisations working for Meiteis, held a press conference in the national capital on Tuesday. The organisations representing the predominant ethnic group of the northeast state said out of more than 5,000 Meitei Hindus in Sanamahi of Churachandpur, only 500 have been evacuated. "The rest are under hostage of armed Kuki civilians supported by Kuki militants," the groups said in a statement. "Every house in the Meitei's settlement area, established in 250 AD during the reign of Khoyum Tompok, has been burned down by well armed Kuki civilians and militants. The Meiteis have become homeless refugees in their own ancestral land and taking refuge at the DC office of Churachandpur District headquarters," they said. "Their lives are at stake. Kuki militants armed with

Violence-hit Manipur coming back to normalcy, curfew relaxed in 4 districts

Manipur CM N. Biren Singh had said on Monday evening that at least 60 people, including women, have been killed and 231 people injured while 1,700 houses have been burnt in the ethnic violence

518 stranded people evacuated from violence-affected areas of Manipur

"The current situation in Manipur has improved quite a lot. Today curfew was also relaxed"

Shielding governance failure will not resolve Manipur's problems

The contentious issues of eviction of forest villages, Meiteis demanding ST status and the breakdown of talks on autonomy with the Kukis coalesced, creating an explosive situation

Manipur violence: SC to hear pleas on Monday over ST status to Meitei

The Supreme Court will on Monday hear a batch of pleas on the Manipur situation including one by a ruling BJP MLA challenging the high court order on the issue of Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community and a PIL by a tribal outfit for an SIT probe into the violence that rocked the northeastern state last week. A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narashima and JB Pardiwala is scheduled to hear the matter. The clashes between Meiteis and tribals started in Churachandpur district last Wednesday. The tribals are opposing reservation to the Meiteis following the March 27 Manipur High Court order that asked the state government to send a recommendation to the Centre within four weeks on the demand for ST status by the Meitei community. Dinganglung Gangmei, BJP MLA and chairman of the Hills Area Committee (HAC) of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, in his appeal contended that the "proceedings before the High Court were vitiated on account of not making the HAC a

Centre ready for discussions on Manipur violence, says G Kishan Reddy

: Requesting the warring groups in Manipur to maintain peace, Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region G Kishan Reddy on Sunday said the Central government was ready for talks and settle the issue. Stating that the Centre was not adamant when it came to people's welfare, Reddy said that it even withdrew three Farm Laws when agriculturists demanded the repeal of the controversial regulations. Riots broke out in Manipur between the Meitei community, which mainly live in Imphal Valley, and the Naga and Kuki tribes who are inhabitants of the hill districts, over the demand of the former for Scheduled Tribe status. Life started limping back to normalcy under the watchful eyes of army drones and helicopters deployed for aerial reconnaissance as curfew was relaxed on Sunday in parts of Manipur. "Please come forward to solve the issues in a peaceful manner. The Indian Government is ready. You have seen the farmers' issue. When it was peaceful, we tried to convince them. As t

Aaditya Thackeray hits out at BJP for campaigning amid violence in Manipur

Former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray expressed serious concern over the prevailing violence in Manipur