Adani News

Tag: Manipur

  • Manipur Minister’s Official Residence Set On Fire In Imphal

    Manipur Minister’s Official Residence Set On Fire In Imphal

    Amidst continuing violence in Manipur, the official residence of the state’s only woman minster was set on fire by some miscreants today, officials said.

    The bungalow of Industry Minister Nemcha Kipgen in Imphal West district’s Lamphel area was targeted late this evening, NDTV reported. However, no one was inside the quarters when the incident took place.Firefighters reached the spot and doused the flames before the blaze could spread to the neighbourhood.

    Kipgen was elected to the state assembly in the last year’s assembly elections from the tribal dominated Kangpokpi assembly seat. She is the only woman minister in the 12-member ministry headed by Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

  • Manipur violence: Over 50,650 displaced people forced to take shelter in 350 relief camps

    Manipur violence: Over 50,650 displaced people forced to take shelter in 350 relief camps

    Imphal (IANS) | Information and Public Relations and Health Minister S. Ranjan said here on Sunday that more than 50,650 men, women and children displaced by ethnic violence in Manipur have been given shelter in 350 camps. The minister said district and cluster nodal officers have been deputed to look after the relief centers set up in more than 10 districts in Manipur, where 105 people have died and over 320 have been injured in the devastating caste violence since May 3. .

    He said that special relief centers have been opened for pregnant women and special care is also being taken for lactating mothers, old persons and children.

    Ranjan said goods and essential commodities were being brought through southern Assam through the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway. So far, 2,376 trucks carrying 35,000 tonnes of construction material, fuel and essential commodities have arrived in the state.

    The state government is making efforts to activate the Khongsang railway station within the next 10 days for convenient transportation of essential commodities. The minister said that helicopter services have already been started from Moreh-Imphal, Imphal-Churachandpur and Imphal-Kangpokpi.

    Various Kuki tribal organizations continue to block the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) in Manipur, causing serious problems to the transportation of essential commodities, food grains, transportation fuel and life-saving medicines.

    Though the state government with security escorts is trying to bring various essential commodities from different parts of the country through the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37), but NH-2 (via Nagaland) is the lifeline of Manipur. It is believed.

    Ranjan, who is also the government spokesperson, said that a total of 990 arms and 13,526 rounds of ammunition have been handed over to the government so far. The minister said, combing operations have been continued in all districts, especially sensitive areas, by the Army and other central and state forces to nab militants and miscreants.

    Media reports claimed that after the riots broke out on 3 May, mobs and miscreants looted thousands of different types of arms and large quantities of ammunition from several police stations and security camps.

    Noting that the education roadmap for the affected students is being prepared by the government, the minister said that the details of the government’s plan will be announced soon by the concerned education minister. With regard to the banking sector, out of 242 branches, 198 bank branches have been made operational so far, and the remaining will be made functional at the earliest.

    Ranjan said that price control mechanism has been implemented to check the rise in prices of essential commodities.

    –IANS

  • CBI forms special team to probe violence in Manipur

    CBI forms special team to probe violence in Manipur

    In order to investigate the ethnic conflicts in Manipur, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under a DIG-rank officer and registered six cases. Amit Shah, the home minister, had previously launched a CBI investigation into six FIRs, five of which allegedly involved criminal conspiracy and one of which allegedly involved a broader plot behind the violence.

    People with knowledge of the situation reported that three people were killed and at least one person was injured in a recent flare-up at a tribal Kuki-dominated village on Friday. The action was taken in response to allegations of at least 105 fatalities and 40,000 displaced individuals since conflict between the Meiteis, the dominant population in Imphal Valley, and the tribal Kukis erupted on May 3.
    Violence broke out during a demonstration over a court judgement giving Meities scheduled tribe status. Later, a curfew and an internet restriction were implemented by the government.

    Meanwhile, on Friday, security officers conducted coordinated searching operations and found at least 35 guns.

  • Supreme Court declines urgent hearing on plea challenging internet shutdown in Manipur

    Supreme Court declines urgent hearing on plea challenging internet shutdown in Manipur

    New Delhi (IANS) | The Supreme Court on Friday declined urgent hearing of a petition challenging the internet shutdown in violence-hit Manipur from May 3. A vacation bench of Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Rajesh Bindal said that the Manipur High Court was already hearing the matter, so there was no need for an urgent hearing. There is no need to duplicate the proceedings, the bench said. Advocate Shadan Farasat, representing the petitioners, insisted on urgent listing of the matter. The bench said that there is no hurry in this matter.

    The top court said, let it go before the regular bench.

    The petition has been filed by Chongtham Victor Singh, an advocate of the Manipur High Court, and Mayengbam James, a businessman, both residents of Manipur.

    The petition states that the internet shutdown has had an economic, humanitarian, social and psychological impact on the petitioners and their families. Argued that the petitioners have been unable to receive funds from banks, receive payments from customers, disburse salaries, or communicate through email or WhatsApp.

    According to the petition, the internet shutdown was a response to alleged incidents of violence during rallies organized by volunteers and youths protesting the demand for inclusion of the Meitei/Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category. It said these clashes escalated into widespread arson, violence and killings across the state, which justified the temporary and time-bound shutdown of the internet.

    The petition states, there is complete suspension of internet access across the state for more than 24 days, causing substantial damage to the rights of the petitioners and other residents.

    Additionally, they have been unable to send their children to school, access their bank accounts, receive or send payments, obtain essential supplies and medicines, and much more, bringing their lives and livelihoods to a standstill, they said.

    The petition has sought a direction to the respondent to restore internet access in Manipur.

    –IANS

  • Mother, injured son among 3 killed after ambulance set on fire in Manipur

    Mother, injured son among 3 killed after ambulance set on fire in Manipur

    An injured eight-year-old boy was killed along with his mother and another relative when an ambulance with the three on board was waylaid by a mob and set ablaze in Manipur’s West Imphal district, officials said.

    The incident occurred at Iroisemba on Sunday evening when the boy was being taken to a hospital by his mother and their relative in Imphal after he sustained a bullet injury in his head during a shoot-out, they said.

    Three have been identified as Tonsing Hangsing (8), his 45-year-old mother Meena Hangsing, and Lydia Lourembam, aged 37, the officials said.

    A senior Assam Rifles officer confirmed the incident and said security has been beefed up in and around the camp where it happened.

    Sources said Tonsing, the son of a tribal man, and his Meitei mother, were staying at an Assam Rifles relief camp at Kangchup.

    On June 4 evening, a gunfight started in the area, and despite being in the camp, he was hit by a bullet.

    “A senior Assam Rifles officer immediately spoke to police in Imphal and arranged for an ambulance. Since the mother was from the majority community, a decision was taken to take the kid to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal by road,” sources said.

    The ambulance was under Assam Rifles escort for a few kilometres, after which the local police took over.

    “Around 6:30 pm, the ambulance was waylaid by civilians at Isoisemba and set ablaze. All three in the vehicle were killed. We still do not know where the bodies are,” one of the sources added.

    The Kangchup area has several Kuki villages and is on Kangpokpi district’s border with Imphal West, close to the Meitei village of Phayeng. The area has been seeing heavy exchange of fire in the second wave of violence across the state since May 27.

    Violent clashes 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.

    The clashes were preceded by tension over eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.

    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.

  • Kuki women protest outside Amit Shah’s residence, detained

    Kuki women protest outside Amit Shah’s residence, detained

    New Delhi (IANS) | A group of women from the Kuki tribal community of Manipur protested outside the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Wednesday against caste violence in the northeastern state. More than 100 people have lost their lives in this violence.

    The Union Minister recently visited Manipur from 29 May to 1 June. According to information, women gathered outside Amit Shah’s residence at around 9 am.

    However, all the protesters were directed to leave by the Delhi Police, as no protests of any kind are allowed in the area. A Delhi Police official said that on receiving information about the protest, they sent a team to pacify the protesters.

    Police had initially told the protesters that it was illegal to assemble outside Amit Shah’s residence. All the protesters were detained and brought to Jantar Mantar, police said. We informed them that if they want, they can protest there.

    Caste violence broke out in Manipur after the All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur organized a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in 11 hill districts to protest their demand for Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei community. So far more than 320 people have been injured in the violence.

    –IANS

  • BSF jawan killed, 2 soldiers injured in firing by suspected Kuki militants in Manipur

    BSF jawan killed, 2 soldiers injured in firing by suspected Kuki militants in Manipur

    A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was killed and two Assam Rifles personnel injured in an encounter with suspected Kuki insurgents in Manipur’s Serou area early Tuesday, officials said.

    The exchange of fire between the two sides took place in a school in Serou area of Sugnu in Kakching district, the officials said.

    A BSF official said suspected Kuki miscreants resorted to indiscriminate and heavy firing targeted at BSF troops deployed at the Serou Practical High School around 4.15 am.

    Constable Ranjit Yadav sustained a bullet injury during the gunfight and was evacuated to Kakching’s Jivan Hospital where he was declared dead, the official said.

    The two injured Assam Rifles personnel have been air evacuated to Mantripukhri and search operations are in progress, the Indian Army’s SpearCorps, headquartered in Dimapur, added on Twitter.

    “Extensive area domination operations by Assam Rifles, BSF & Police undertaken in areas of Sugnu/Serou in #Manipur. Intermittent firing between Security Forces & group of insurgents took place throughout night of 05/06 June.

    Security Forces effectively retaliated to the fire,” SpearCorps posted on its official Twitter handle.

  • Shah meets women leaders, prominent people in Manipur

    Shah meets women leaders, prominent people in Manipur

    IMPHAL: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, currently visiting Manipur, on Tuesday had consultations with various stake-holders which started with a breakfast meeting with a group of women leaders and a separate meeting with prominent personalities as part of his efforts to bring lasting peace in the violence-hit state.

    He also held another meeting with a delegation of civil society organisations as part of his outreach and they expressed their commitment to peace and assured that they would work for restoring normalcy in Manipur.

    ”Held a meeting with a group of women leaders (Meira Paibi) in Manipur. Reiterated the significance of the role of women in the society of Manipur. Together, we are committed to ensuring peace and prosperity in the state,” Shah tweeted.

    In a separate tweet, Shah said ”Had a fruitful discussion with the members of the different Civil Society Organisations today in Imphal. They expressed their commitment to peace and assured that we would together contribute to paving the way to restore normalcy in Manipur.” According to a home ministry spokesperson, in the meeting in Imphal this morning, prominent personalities assured their commitment to peace and also that they would work towards restoring peace in the state.

    After his arrival in Imphal last night, Shah met Chief Minister N Biren Singh, some cabinet ministers, officials and a few political leaders.

    Shah is on a four-day visit to Manipur during which he will hold several rounds of security meetings to assess situation and plan further steps to restore normalcy, sources said.

    This is the first time the home minister is visiting the northeastern state since the ethnic clashes began in Manipur on May 3. The state witnessed a sudden spurt in clashes and firing between militants and security forces on Sunday, after a relative lull for over a fortnight. The death toll from clashes has gone up to 80, officials said.

    The ethnic violence first broke out after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest the 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.

  • Indigenous Women From Manipur Tribes Stage Protest At Jantar Mantar

    Indigenous Women From Manipur Tribes Stage Protest At Jantar Mantar

    Amid heavy rain, hundreds of women representing the Hmar, Kuki, Mizo, and Zomi tribes gathered at Jantar Mantar on Monday to demand a fair intervention by the central government in order to address the ongoing tensions in Manipur. The protesters, holding posters and national flags, raised their voices for justice and continued their demonstration despite the adverse weather conditions.

    The current protests are rooted in a series of ethnic clashes that have plagued Manipur, resulting in the loss of over 75 lives. The tensions began after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. This demand by the Meiteis, who comprise approximately 53 percent of Manipur’s population and predominantly reside in the Imphal Valley, has sparked discontent among the tribal Nagas and Kukis, who constitute another 40 percent and reside in the hill districts.

    Adding to the simmering tensions, the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land became a flashpoint, triggering a series of smaller agitations. The situation escalated further when the chief minister made controversial remarks labeling Kukis as terrorists, exacerbating the sense of displacement and marginalization felt by the indigenous communities.

    The protest at Jantar Mantar serves as a platform for the indigenous women to express their frustrations and demand a fair resolution to the prevailing tensions. Their passionate calls for justice and assertion of their Indian identity resonate with the historical significance of their tribes’ contributions to the freedom struggle. The protesters firmly assert that they are not illegal immigrants but rightful citizens of India who have been uprooted within their own homeland.

    The gravity of the situation prompted the deployment of significant security forces, including over 10,000 personnel from the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and other paramilitary forces, to restore normalcy in Manipur. The large-scale presence of security forces underscores the urgent need for a peaceful and inclusive resolution to the tensions that have disrupted the lives of countless individuals in the strife-torn state.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • Renewed Clashes Between Militants And Security Forces In Manipur

    Renewed Clashes Between Militants And Security Forces In Manipur

    Manipur: Clashes have broken out between armed groups and security forces at over half a dozen places across Manipur on Sunday, officials said.

    The latest clashes began after the army commenced coming operations to de-arm communities in order to bring peace.

    Chief Minister N Biren Singh claimed to newspersons on Sunday that the latest round of clashes was not between rival communities but between Kuki militants and Security forces.

    The house of BJP MLA Khwairakpam Raghumani Singh at Uripok in Imphal West was vandalised and his two vehicles have been set on fire, a top security official told PTI.

    He also said that clashes broke out in the early hours of the morning at several places in different districts surrounding the Imphal Valley.

    “According to our information, firing has been reported from Sugnu in Kakching, Kangvi in Churachandpur, Kangchup in Imphal West, Sagolmang in Imphal East, Nungoipokpi in Bishenpur, Khurkhul in Imphal West and YKPI in Kangpokpi,” the official said.

    New roadblocks have also sprung up in areas manned by women.

    There was also an unconfirmed report of arms being looted from Kakching police station by a Meitei group, the official said.

    Ethnic clashes which have claimed over 75 lives first broke out in Manipur 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.

    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.

    Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribal Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

    Around 140 columns of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles, comprising over 10,000 personnel, besides those from other paramilitary forces had to be deployed to bring back normalcy in the Northeastern state.