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The Hindu
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Manipur districts tense after day of violence
GUWAHATI Two districts of Manipur remained tense on Friday (June 20, 2025), a day after unknown gunmen injured a Meitei farmer and a Kuki woman was shot dead later. A shutdown was observed across the Churachandpur district, dominated by the Kuki-Zo people, to protest the woman's killing. She was identified as Hoikholhing Haokip, the wife of the chief of Langchingmanbi village adjoining the Bishnupur district, where the Meitei farmer was attacked. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum had called the shutdown, demanding 'immediate action against those responsible for this atrocity, concrete steps from the Centre to ensure the protection of tribal lives and territory, and an independent investigation into the repeated buffer zone violations.' The people of Bishnupur, one of the five districts comprising the Meitei-majority Imphal Valley, continued to block a highway leading to the Churachandpur district. They demanded the arrest of the assailants of farmer Ningthoujam Biren Singh, who was shot in his left arm on Thursday. Earlier, the Manipur Police said the security forces came under fire from unknown armed miscreants after the farmer was shot in Bishnupur's Phubala area. '...the forces retaliated accordingly. During the crossfire, one woman from Langchingmanbi village was found dead with a bullet injury,' it said. Manipur, scarred by the ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Zos and Meiteis, was relatively calm after the imposition of the President's Rule on February 13 this year. More than 250 people had died and some 60,000 were displaced in the clashes that had erupted on May 3, 2023. Also read | Manipur marks two years of ethnic violence by remembering victims Meanwhile, the All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) condemned the Phubala incident, saying it suspected a conspiracy between the attackers and the security forces. It said the incident happened near a bunker of the Sashastra Seema Bal, whose personnel were inactive. The organisation underlined the importance of holding accountable the security personnel found complicit or negligent, apart from the attackers. 'The people of Manipur express deep dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Home Affairs' performance, as the region continues to grapple with ongoing conflicts and violence despite the government's claims of working towards restoring normalcy,' the AMUCO said. The organisation also questioned the work done by security adviser Kuldiep Singh, who was sent by the Centre to resolve the ongoing crisis plaguing the State.
The Hindu
19-06-2025
- The Hindu
Woman killed in fresh Manipur violence
A Kuki woman was killed in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Thursday (June 19, 2025), a day after suspected extremists fired at and injured a Meitei farmer in the adjoining Bishnupur district. There were no official statements on either incident, but the Kuki Women's Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR) blamed the death of Hoikholhing Haokip of Langchingmanbi village on Meitei militants. In the afternoon of June 18, a man identified as Ningthoujam Biren was injured after suspected Kuki extremists fired at farmers on the border between Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts. Eyewitnesses said Mr. Biren and two other farmers were working on a paddy field at Phubala in Bishnupur district when five rounds were fired at them from a hillock in the adjoining Churachandpur district. 'He was taken to the district hospital after a bullet struck his left forearm,' a villager said. The Phubala villagers slammed the government for failing to ensure the security of the farmers working close to the vulnerable 'buffer zone', which separates the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley from the surrounding hills where the Kuki-Zos are in the majority. After the incident, angry Bishnupur locals blocked a highway leading to Churachandpur, demanding action against armed Kuki fighters. A women's group threatened a total shutdown across the Imphal Valley from Friday (June 20, 2025) if top State government officials did not visit the affected area. In a statement, the KWOHR condemned the killing of Ms. Haokip allegedly by Meitei militants. 'Despite the presence of a government-declared buffer zone intended to prevent clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities, Meitei militants have repeatedly violated and crossed the buffer line, provoking tensions and directly endangering the lives of innocent civilians,' it said. The organisation demanded the immediate arrest and punishment of the perpetrators of the crime, strict enforcement of the buffer zone with equal accountability on both sides, deployment of neutral Central forces to ensure peace and a judicial inquiry into this incident as well as all recent buffer zone violations. This was the second incident involving farmers working on fields along the buffer zone. On June 15, a confrontation between Kuki and Meitei villagers on the border between Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts sparked tension. According to the Manipur police, the Kukis objected to Meitei farmers working on a paddy field they claimed as theirs. Shooting at farmers working on fields along the buffer zone used to be frequent after the ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo people broke out on May 3, 2023. Such incidents have not been reported after Manipur came under the President's Rule on February 13. The ethnic conflict left more than 250 people dead and some 60,000 others displaced.
Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Uncertainty looms over Kuki air hostess's funeral
New Delhi The shadow of the ethnic conflict that has ravaged Manipur for over two years and effectively split the state into two has cast a shadow over the more recent tragedy, the crash of Flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad, killing all but one of the passengers and crew, including two members of the cabin crew from Manipur. One of the dead cabin crew, Nganthoi K Sharma, was a Meitei, and the other, Lamnunthiem Singson, was a Kuki-Zo. And even as authorities in Ahmedabad are working to identify and return the bodies of the two women, back in Manipur, there are hectic parleys underway between the local administration, the police, and leaders of the Meitei and Kuki bodies. Since May 2023, the state has been roiled by an ethnic conflict that has resulted in the death of 260 people, and displaced an estimated 50,000 people, the removal of the state's chief minister, and the imposition of President's Rule. It has also seen Kuki-Zos leave Imphal and its surrounding areas and retreat to the hills, and Meiteis do the reverse. These enclaves are protected by local militia with central security forces only serving as a buffer. So, the discussion keeping everyone in Manipur busy now is where Singson's body will land. That's because Kuki-Zos do not enter Imphal (for fear of death). To be sure, top police officers and government authorities have spoken to her family and promised a security convoy from Imphal to Kangpokpi,where they are based, if they wish to receive the body at the Imphal airport. Singson's family, used to live in Imphal's New Lambulane area, but fled to the hill district of Kangpopki after the conflict broke out. The Manipur government said in a press statement issued on Monday night that it is in touch with Air India and the Tata group, and have assured them that it is prepared to receive both bodies at the Imphal airport. 'The final decision regarding mode of reception, ceremonies and other arrangements is left to the bereaved families. The state is committed to provide all necessary support as per their wishes,' it added. The statement also quoted Manipur chief secretary PK Singh, who said, 'Necessary arrangements have been made to ensure that their names are treated with the highest dignity and respect, and subsequently transported safely to their respective homes.' Till late Tuesday evening, Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) members said the body is yet to be handed to them by the authorities of Ahmedabad. Senior police officers, including the Manipur police chief Rajiv Singh, on Monday spoke to the family over phone, offering them adequate security to transport the body by road from Imphal airport, people aware of the matter said. 'The Kangpokpi superintendent of police met the family and assured them of all help if they are confident in letting their child's body come via Imphal. They may also be worried about a backlash from their own community if at all they go to Imphal to collect the body.,' said a senior Manipur police officer who asked not to be named. But it isn't clear if that will happen. K Shongreng, general secretary of Kuki Students Organisation, Kangpokpi unit, which is helping the family said, 'Going to Imphal is not safe for Kuki-Zo people. We all know what has happened to our people there in the last two years. While KSO is helping the family in every way possible, it is up to the family on how they wish to bring the body of their loved one home.' KSO members said one option is for Singson's body to be flown to Dimapur airport in Nagaland and then brought to Kangpokpi by road, as there are no Meitei areas in between. The airport in Mizoram , Aizawl, is used by Kuki people from another hill district, Churachandpur, but travelling from there to Kangpokpi will require passing through Imphal. Still, amidst all of this, there is a ray of hope -- and a glimpse of humanity. One of Imphal's most influential Meitei umbrella groups, COCOMI on Monday urged all sections of society to be united and ensure a dignified return of the bodies in Manipur. Khuraijam Athouba, convener of the COCOMI, said, 'We have appealed to all sections of society, locals clubs, groups and bodies to extend full cooperation. The entire state of Manipur is united in mourning their untimely loss. We urge the state government to make all necessary logistical arrangements for the smooth transfer of the bodies. If willing, the families may come forward to receive their daughters at the airport without hesitation. Let us honour their return and pray for their souls to return in peace.' The police officer cited above added that government and police officers have spoken to Meitei groups and suggested that allowing Singson's body to travel from Imphal to Kangpokpi would be a 'message of peace'. He said many of the groups have responded 'positively'. Singson's family said it will decide on what to do when authorities in Ahmedabad are ready to send the bodies. 'She lost her father long ago and lived with her mother and siblings in Imphal. They had to leave their house in Imphal because of the clashes. Their house was later looted. Her mother stays with us in Kangpokpi now. We are awaiting confirmation from authorities in Ahmedabad . We will issue a statement once we receive a word from Ahmedabad,' said Singson's uncle, Hahao Haipi. (With inputs from Sobhapati Samom)
Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
After huddle, 23 Manipur BJP MLAs ‘resolve' to form ‘popular' govt
Twenty-three BJP MLAs of Manipur held a meeting Friday, after which they issued a statement saying that they 'resolved to put aside personal ambitions' in the 'larger interest' of working towards the formation of a popular government in the state, which has been under President's rule since February 13 with the state Assembly being in suspended animation. The BJP has a total of 37 MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly, of whom seven are from the Kuki-Zo community and were not a part of the Friday meeting. While the signatories of its statement did not include former chief minister N Biren Singh or Speaker Th. Satyabrata Singh, they included party MLAs who had rebelled against Biren as well as those who had backed him till his resignation on February 9. Satyabrata Singh had been one of the major dissidents against Biren Singh. This meeting came two days after a group of 10 NDA MLAs met Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla in the Imphal Raj Bhavan on May 28, claiming that they have the support of 44 MLAs for the formation of a popular government in the state. 'Acknowledging the deep public desire to see the formation of a popular government, we discussed pathways to achieve this with unity and selflessness. We resolved to put aside personal ambitions in the larger interest of the state, its people, and the vision of the BJP and its alliance partners in Manipur,' said a statement issued after the meeting. It also stated, 'As elected representatives, we are united in our firm belief that a long-term solution to the crisis is both possible and necessary… we thoroughly examined mechanisms for inclusive dialogue involving representatives of all communities in Manipur. We strongly support the establishment of a neutral dialogue platform to facilitate constructive mediation between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, aimed at building trust and consensus on critical issues.' It also stated that the idea of approaching the Governor or the BJP central leadership to appoint a 'neutral peace envoy or a panel of eminent persons, comprising voices from both within and outside Manipur' was proposed in the meeting. The statement also emphasised on the need for 'inter-community people-to-people dialogue at the grassroots level' and for the recovery of looted weapons 'both in the hills and valley.' Manipur has been roiled by a conflict between Meiteis and Kuki-Zos since May 3, 2023, which has killed over 250 people and left tens of thousands homeless.
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
44 MLAs ready to form new govt in Manipur: Radheshyam
Imphal: Forty-four legislators are ready to form a new govt in the state, BJP legislator Thokchom Radheshyam told the media after meeting governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla here on Wednesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Manipur is under President's Rule since Feb after N Biren Singh resigned as the chief minister, amid criticism about his govt's handling of the ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zos. These 44 MLAs inlcude 30 of 37 BJP legislators, including Biren Singh, all six NPP legislators, all five NPF members, lone JD(U) member and two of three Independents. The seven BJP legislators belonging to the Kuki-Zo community are not part of this group. The 60-member assembly at present has 59 MLAs, with one seat vacant due to the death of a legislator, N Kayisii, who represented Tadubi constituency. The opposition comprises five Congress members. Besdies, there are two members of Kuki People's Alliance and an Indpendent, all of them belonging to the Kuki-Zo community, in the opposition. "We have conveyed this to the governor that as per the wishes of the people, forty-four MLAs are ready to form a govt. We also discussed what solutions can be there for the issue," he said, adding, the governor expressed hope that he would initiate action in the best interests of the people. Asked if they would stake a claim to form govt, he said, "The central leadership of the BJP will take the decision." He revealed that speaker Th Satyabrata has 'individually' and 'jointly' met the 44 MLAs and that there is no one who opposes the formation of a new govt. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "We are ready to stake claim to form govt," Thokchom said. "People had faced so many hardships. In the previous term, two years were lost due to COVID, and in this term, another two years have been lost due to the conflict,' he said. Independent legislator Sapam Nishikanta Singh also told the media that 44 MLAs are ready to form a new govt. Nishikanta also met governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla along with nine other MLAs. The development comes amid intense protests in the Imphal Valley over an order to conceal 'Manipur' written on the windshield of a govt bus by security forces. Meitei groups have demanded an official apology from the governor over the incident that happened in Gwaltabi on May 20. They have also sought the resignation of the chief secretary, DGP, and security advisor. Over 250 people have lost their lives since the ethnic strife broke out in the state in May 3, 2023. Meitei groups maintain that the territorial integrity of the state is non-negotiable in any peace process, while the Kuki-Zo community asserts that the only solution to resolve the crisis is creating a separate administration for the hill districts where they live.
