Meitei group COCOMI holds indefinite sit-in protest against central and state govts, at Ima Keithei, Imphal.
Credit: X/@ANI
Amid raging violence in the north-eastern state of Manipur, the National People's Party (NPP) on Sunday withdrew its support to the N Biren Singh-led government. NPP has seven MLAs in the 60 member Assembly, where the BJP has 32 seats.
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"I, along with all the Congress MLAs, am ready to resign as an MLA if the people of Manipur want to bring a new mandate to bring peace in Manipur," said Manipur Congress president and party MLA Keisham Meghachandra after the NPP withdrew support to the NDA govt.
"I just want justice, irrespective of who rules Manipur. PM did not go there and people of Manipur are suffering for months together, for years together. What is the PM doing? He is moving across entire world, entire Maharashtra and Jharkhand. But he is not going to Manipur. Rahul Gandhi went there. He started his padayatra from there to Mumbai, Maharashtra. Where is Mr Modi? He has no face to go there...I condemn the attitude of Central Government," Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, commenting on the situation in Manipur.
Talking to PTI, National People's Party leader Yumnam Joykumar Singh said, "The reason why our party has withdrawn support from N Biren Singh-led government is (because) things have been going from bad to worse in the state. There has been no change or improvement.
"The attack on the police station, CRPF camp and abduction of six persons, including three children, and their subsequent murder. These things indicate that the government has no control over the administration."
Talking to ANI, Congress MP Kunwar Danish Ali said, "Sun rises in the east. The days of BJP are coming to an end. The trend of withdrawing support has begun from the northeast.
"Support to Manipur Government has been withdrawn now by one of their allies. One day you will get to hear that JD(U) or TDP has withdrawn the support and Modi Government will collapse.
"They made a lot of promises and came to power, but they have not fulfilled any demand till date. The situation in Manipur is before everyone. They have nothing to do with any of this, they are busy only with politics of 'baanto' and 'kaato'.
"You will wake up one morning and get to know that JD(U) and TDP have withdrawn the support, on whose crutches the Central Government is walking."
The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) held a candlelight march here on Sunday protesting against the ethnic violence in Manipur and demanded that the Centre take stringent measures to resolve the conflict as soon as possible.
Several IYC workers participated in the march carrying candles and a banner.
The protesters took out the march from the IYC office on Raisina Road. They were headed towards Jantar Mantar but were stopped by police.
In a statement, IYC national president Uday Bhanu Chib said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is travelling around the country and abroad, but not going to Manipur.
When Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi can go to Manipur, why can't the prime minister visit the northeastern state, he asked.
Since May 2023, Manipur has been going through unimaginable pain, divisions and increasing violence, which has destroyed the future of its people, Chib said.
He demanded that the Centre take strict measures as soon as possible to curb the violence in the state.
The violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur has claimed more than 200 lives since May last year.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will on Monday hold a key meeting to review the security situation in Manipur and is expected to chalk out a strategy to handle the "volatile" situation in the northeastern state, sources said.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, among other top officials, are expected to attend the meeting, they said.
-PTI
National Investigation Agency has taken over three cases linked to the violence leading to the loss of lives and disruption in public order in Manipur. The agency took over these cases from Manipur Police following a recent order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh called for an emergency meeting at the CM secretariat at 6:00 pm today in Imphal on the emerging situation in Manipur. The meeting will include MLAs of BJP and it's allies- NPF, JD(U) and others.
One person was killed and another injured in police firing in Jiribam district last night.
This comes a day after BJP's allies withdrew there support to Biren Singh government, stating, "We strongly feel that the Manipur state government under the leadership of Shri Biren Singh has completely failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy."
The three Manipur violent cases taken over by the National Investigation Agency from state police are:
1. The first case was registered at Jiribam Police Station on November 8, 2024, regarding the murder of a woman at the Jiribam area by fully armed militants.
2. The second case was registered at Borobekra Police Station on November 11, 2024, linked to the attack on the Central Reserve Police Force post at (A-company, 20th Battalion) located at Jakuradhor Karong and Borobekra Police Station, Jiribam by armed militants.
3. The third case was registered at Borobekra Police Station on November 11, 2024, regarding the burning of houses and killing of civilian at the Borobekra area.
Home Minister Amit Shah and Manipur CM Biren Singh should resign. Singular achievement of HM is protecting CM. He has not protected people, women, children and families of Manipur. He has only protected Biren Singh: Jairam Ramesh
Various media reports have stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah's high level meeting on Manipur is underway.
Several district level leaders of ruling BJP in the conflict-torn Jiribam tenders resignation in view of the violence. This comes a day after Meitei protesters vandalised the office of the Jiribam unit of BJP.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a high-level meeting with senior officials in the national capital and assessed the security situation in Manipur.
Manipur's JD(U) MLA Abdul Nasir on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Centre to declare those responsible for the killing of women and children in Jiribam district as "terrorists".
Nasir, the MLA of Lilong constituency in Thoubal district, dubbed the killings as an "act of cowardice" and "heinous crime that has crossed all levels of barbarism".
"This heinous crime has crossed all levels of barbarism... and is an act of cowardice. Those responsible for the killings should be declared as terrorists by the Government of India," he said.
Calling for the immediate arrest of those responsible for the killings, he urged the Parliament to pass a resolution in the coming session, condemning the incident.
Hundreds of people defied a curfew to stage demonstrations in India's northeastern state of Manipur over the weekend and 23 were arrested for violence as tensions between two ethnic communities flared up again.
How did the violence begin?
On May 3, 2023, members of the Kuki and Naga tribes, who inhabit Manipur's hills and are regarded as Scheduled Tribes, launched a protest against the possible extension of their benefits to the dominant Meiteis.
The Meitei have sought special benefits for more than a decade, but received a fillip in April last year after the Manipur High Court recommended the state government should consider the demand and set a deadline of mid-May.
What is behind the latest spiral of violence ?
The latest violence flared this month after a 31-year-old Kuki woman was found burned to death in a village in Jiribam district, an area that was untouched by the conflict until June.
Kuki groups blamed Meitei militants for the act.
Kukis and Meiteis have moved to separate parts elsewhere in Manipur since the clashes last year but Jiribam still has a mixed population, leading to tensions and violence.
A platform of Manipur’s Kuki organisations said a 'coffin rally' will be held on Tuesday at Churachandpur to pay tribute and show solidarity to the 10 Kuki-Zo youths, who were killed in an alleged gunfight with CRPF in Jiribam district of Manipur.
In a 'joint public notice' on Monday, Zomi Students' Federation (ZSF), Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) and Hmar Students' Association (HSA) directed schools and colleges to send pupils from class 10 onwards to participate in the event wearing black shirts.
One of the organisers told PTI that they will symbolically carry 10 dummy coffins to pay their respect for the slain youths as the bodies are still lying in the morgue of a local hospital.
A day after withdrawing support to N. Biren Singh-led government, Meghalaya CM and chief of National People's Party (NPP) categorically said that his party may restore the support if Singh is replaced
"It is specific to the individual, Biren Singh. If we see that there is a change in leadership, if we see that there is a positive step forward and there is a plan to move forward to find resolution and we can constructively contribute to ensure that peace and normalcy returns, we will be happy to work together again. But that depends on the situation, it is difficult to say right now," Sangma told reporters in Shillong on the sidelines of the Shillong Literary Festival.
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The Manipur government on Monday said it has constituted a two-member inquiry committee to look into the causes that led to a firing in Jiribam district, which left one person dead and another injured.
A protester was killed and another was injured in firing during a clash between security forces and a mob that was vandalising properties in Babupara areas of Jiribam on Sunday night. Police could not confirm who opened fire, while eyewitnesses claimed the firing came from the direction of the security forces.
The committee will be led by IGP (Intelligence) K Kabib as the Chairman with Ningsen Worngam DIG (Range III) as the member, according to a notice issued by the home department.
The Naga Peoples' Front (NPF), a BJP ally which has five MLAs in Manipur has said that the state government is doing its best to control the situation and withdrawing support from it is not something the party is considering.
The NPF’s statement came a day after the National People's Party (NPP) with seven MLAs in the 60-member assembly, withdrew support from the N Biren Singh government claiming that it "completely failed to resolve the crisis and restore normalcy" in the northeastern state.
NPF Manipur president Awangbou Newmai, however, denied NPP's claim, telling reporters, "We have seen in Jiribam that some miscreants were also killed. The government is trying its best to rescue the innocents. Unfortunately, the government could not save the lives of a few, but we cannot say that the administration did not do anything."
"We are one of the oldest constituents of the NDA. At this juncture, there is no question of withdrawing support from the government. We have to work together to bring a solution," the NPF leader added.
The withdrawal of support by the NPP would not have any impact on the BJP-led government, as the saffron party enjoys absolute majority with its 32 MLAs. The saffron camp has also the support of five MLAs of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and 6 JD(U) legislators.
Defying curfew orders, a Meitei group had earlier taken to the streets and locked several government offices in Imphal's West district to protest the recent killings in Jiribam even as the Centre decided to rush about 5,000 paramilitary troops to tackle the "volatile" situation in restive Manipur after Union Home Minister Amit Shah's review meeting in New Delhi.
The meeting of the ruling MLAs took eight resolutions that included:
*Review of the imposition of AFSPA in areas under six police stations as per the order of the MHA on November 14.
*An operation against the Kuki militants responsible for the killing of six women and children in Jiribam within seven days
*Immediate handing over the cases related to killing of the six, and two women belonging to Hmar and Meitei community, respectively, on November 7 and 8 to the NIA
*Declare the Kuki-Zo organisations resposible for killing the six persons as unlawful organisations within seven days.
"If the resolutions are not implemented within the specified period, all the NDA legislators will decide the future course of action in consultation with the people of the state," the resolution stated.
The meeting also condemnd the attacks on Ministers and MLAs by "certain persons" in the Valley and decided to take legal action.
Resolution statement
DH Special Arrangement
Resolution statement
DH Special Arrangement
A meeting of MLAs of the ruling BJP-led NDA in Manipur adopted a resolution calling for a "mass operation" against the Kuki militants responsible for killing three women and three children in Jiribam district within seven days, a statement said.
The meeting, held on Monday night, was attended by 27 MLAs.
"To start Mass Operations against the Kuki militants responsible for the killing of the 6 (six) innocent women and children within 7 (seven) days," the statement said.
The Congress on Tuesday took a swipe at the BJP over some MLAs of the ruling NDA reportedly skipping a meeting called by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, saying the writing on the wall is clear and asked whether Home Minister Amit Shah is reading it.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh also asked how long will the "excruciating agony" of the people of Manipur continue like this.
Noting that the Manipur Assembly has 60 MLAs, Ramesh said that on Monday night, the CM of Manipur called a meeting in Imphal of all MLAs belonging to the NDA.
Tripura Pradesh Youth Congress workers take part in a protest march against the recent killing of three women and three children in Manipur's Jiribam, in Agartala.
Members of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Assam take part in a protest against the recent killing of three women and three children in Manipur's Jiribam, in Guwahati.
West Bengal Congress President Subhankar Sarkar with party workers during a protest against the recent killing of three women and three children in Manipur's Jiribam, in Kolkata.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the BJP-led government at the Centre succeeded in bringing down violence in Jammu and Kashmir, North-East and Naxal-hit areas by 70 per cent in the last 10 years.
Members of Kuki organisations in Churachandpur held a rally on Tuesday carrying mock 'coffins' in remembrance of the deceased members of their community who died during unrest in the state.
The Manipur government has conditionally lifted the suspension on broadband services three days after imposing it, considering the hardships faced by common people, healthcare facilities, educational institutions and other offices.
Mobile internet services, however, remained suspended, according to an order issued by Home Commissioner N Ashok Kumar.
Amid escalating violence, the administration clamped the restriction order in seven districts on November 16.
"Considering the sufferings of the common people as the internet ban had affected functioning of important offices, institutions, and people who work from home, the state government has made a considered decision to lift suspension in case of broadband services conditionally,” the order said.
A subscriber shall not accept any connection other than the one allowed, and no Wifi or hotspots shall be allowed, it said.
The government, however, decided to keep the ban on mobile internet data, according to the order. (PTI)
Rights activist Irom Sharmila believes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's direct intervention is essential to resolving the crisis in violence-hit Manipur, warning that the reimposition of the "draconian" Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in six police station areas in the northeastern state could escalate the unrest further.
On Congress leader P Chidambaram's statement, Manipur CM Biren Singh said, "P Chidambaram is a senior Congress leader and I am surprised to see his 'X' handle mentioning about the division and alleging the present crisis is due to the CM of Manipur. There are a few problems that we are facing due to the ignorance of the Central leaders during the Congress time... P Chidambaram is the root cause of the present crisis."
He further said, "When he was the Home Minister in the then Congress government and Okram Ibobi Singh was the CM (of Manipur), they brought a Myanmarese foreigner, Thanglianpau Guite... That person was the chairman Zomi Re-Unification Army, which is banned in Myanmar... Here is a photograph where P Chidambadam is meeting Thanglianpau..."
"They never cared about the North East and the indigenous people... The present crisis is the problem of the illegal migrants from Myanmar and they try to dominate the indigenous people of Manipur and the entire North East... Whatever the problem is there in Manipur is created by Congress... They cannot wash their hands so easily..." the CM further added.
Curfew was relaxed in three Imphal Valley districts on Tuesday and the suspension on broadband internet lifted with conditions, even as Chief Minister N Biren Singh blamed the Congress for the present crisis in Manipur and NDA MLAs called for a "mass operation" against militants responsible for the killing of six women and children.
Peaceful rallies were also staged across the state, with hundreds taking to the streets with empty coffins in Churachandpur district, demanding justice for those killed in a gunfight with the security forces in Jiribam, and members of various civil society organisations bringing out a procession in Imphal West district to protest the reimposition of AFSPA in parts of the state.
Prohibitory orders were relaxed in Imphal East and West, and Kakching districts from 5 am to 10 am to facilitate the purchase of essential items "in view of improvement in law and order", separate notifications issued by district administrations said. However, restrictions on large scale gatherings or movement of persons or sit-ins continued to remain imposed.
The Manipur government also conditionally lifted the suspension on broadband services three days after imposing it, considering the hardships faced by common people, healthcare facilities, educational institutions and other offices. Mobile internet services, however, remained suspended, according to an order issued by Home Commissioner N Ashok Kumar.
Meanwhile, the chief minister attacked Congress leader P Chidambaram over his X post "calling for division of the state". (Via PTI)