Latest news with #President'sRule
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
BJP working hard to bring back elected govt in Manipur: Biren Singh
IMPHAL: Former Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh said on Friday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is doing everything it can to restore peace and bring back a 'popular government' in the northeastern state. Former Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh. (ANI) 'We are not fighting any political party. Our only aim is to end the crisis and bring peace to the state,' he told the media after attending a BJP meeting at Thambal Sanglen in Imphal, chaired by state BJP president A. Sarda Devi. He said the law and order situation has improved and no gunfights have been reported in the last eight or nine months. He praised Union home minister Amit Shah for working day and night to help bring back normal life. Biren also spoke about the serious problems caused by illegal immigration and drug trafficking. 'People are now beginning to understand how dangerous illegal immigrants and drugs are for Manipur and the Northeast,' he said. He added that the BJP has been asking the Centre to speed up the process of forming a new government. 'We want a government that truly represents the will of the people,' he said. BJP Manipur president A. Sarda Devi said the party has already informed central leaders about the people's strong wish to have an elected government. 'The Centre will take the required constitutional steps soon,' she said. When asked about unity within the party, Sarda said, 'Only time will tell. But we believe slow and steady wins the race.' She said that this is not the right time for political competition. 'Elections are not the priority right now. What matters most is peace and stability. We must act according to what the people want,' she added. Speaking on Sambhidhan Hatya Diwas (Constitution Murder Day), Sarda blamed the Congress for the Emergency declared on June 25, 1975. She said during that time, civil rights were taken away, opposition leaders were jailed, and the media was silenced. She explained that the BJP was not yet formed during the Emergency. It was the Bharatiya Jana Sangh that fought against the authoritarian rule. 'People now accuse the BJP of targeting the media, but back then, journalists were arrested and real press freedom was crushed,' she said. Sarda said peace, unity, and responsible governance are the BJP's main goals in Manipur. The party is working hard to bring back an elected government. When asked whether a new government could be formed before the six-month President's Rule ends, she said 'development will be seen,' but gave no clear answer. President's Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13 after N. Biren Singh resigned as chief minister. Since then, the state assembly has been kept under suspended animation due to ongoing violence and political instability.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Centre making serious efforts to restore government in Manipur: BJP MLA
The central government is making serious efforts to create a conducive environment for the formation of a popular and stable government in Manipur, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Khongbantabam Ibomcha from Lamlai in Manipur said on Thursday. The state has been grappling with a deepening crisis since May 3, 2023. (BJP website) Speaking to media persons at the BJP Bhavan in Imphal, Ibomcha said, 'Establishing a favourable environment for a stable and popular government is crucial. The central leadership has been working tirelessly, engaging with various stakeholders, including civil society organisations.' Earlier in the day, Ibomcha, along with other party leaders, met BJP Manipur president A Sharda Devi, who had recently held discussions with central leaders regarding the state's political situation. Also Read:Manipur Police cracks down on arms smuggling, extortion gangs; six arrested The MLA appealed to the public to extend their support to the ongoing efforts aimed at restoring democratic government in Manipur. He was accompanied by fellow BJP lawmaker Yumnam Khemchand. 'The party is trying its level best to create a conducive atmosphere. Holding meetings with the central government and various civil bodies from both the Meitei and Kuki communities is part of the roadmap for restoring peace', Ibomcha said. Following intensified political turmoil and leadership crisis, the Centre imposed President's Rule in the state on February 13, four days after N Biren Singh resigned as chief minister. Although the Manipur Legislative Assembly's term extends until 2027, it has been placed under suspended animation. State BJP president A Sharda Devi recently met central BJP leaders, including national party president JP Nadda and national general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh, to discuss the prevailing political scenario in Manipur. The state has been grappling with a deepening crisis since May 3, 2023, which has claimed over 250 lives and displaced more than 60,000 individuals.
The Print
6 days ago
- The Print
Kuki woman killed in ‘crossfire' in Manipur chose to stay back even at peak of conflict, says niece
A farmer and wife of the village chief Khaikhogin Haokip, she was found dead in a forested area approximately 500 metres from the village, and about 50 metres from the road, a senior district police officer told ThePrint. On Thursday, Haokip was shot in 'crossfire' between security forces and 'unknown armed miscreants'. The incident took place in Langchingmanbi village, near the buffer zone dividing areas dominated by the Kuki-Zo community from areas dominated by Meiteis. New Delhi: Having witnessed extreme violence through 2023 and 2024, Hoikholhing Haokip finally felt safe in her village in Churachandpur, after President's Rule was imposed in strife-torn Manipur in February this year. 'Even when the conflict was at its peak in 2023, and most villagers had fled since the village was on the frontline, she was adamant about staying,' recalled her niece Gracie, as she mourned her death. 'My uncle always told us—our forefathers gave us this land, and even if we die, we will die in our own house.' The incident has fuelled a fresh wave of tensions in the region. According to police, Haokip was killed in crossfire amid a search operation after a Meitei man in a village in Bishnupur district was injured earlier that day, when some 'unidentified assailants' opened fire. Ningthoujam Biren Singh, a cultivator from Phubala Awang Maning Leikai, was shot in the left arm around 3 pm while working in his paddy field, Manipur Police posted on X. He was taken to the district hospital, and later referred to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal, about 30 km away. His condition is reported to be stable. 'In response, the security forces launched a search operation in and around Langchingmanbi, Heichanglok, and the western areas of Phubala village. During the course of the operation, security forces came under fire from unknown armed miscreants and the forces retaliated accordingly,' Manipur Police wrote on X. 'During the crossfire, a woman from Langchingmanbi village was found dead with a bullet injury.' Incident Report: Shooting at Phubala and Subsequent Exchange of Fire Today, at approximately 3:00 PM, one Ningthoujam Biren Singh, a cultivator from Phubala Awang Maning Leikai, was shot in his left arm by an unknown armed miscreant while working in his paddy field at Phubala… — Manipur Police (@manipur_police) June 19, 2025 Local police arranged to transport the body to Churachandpur District Hospital for necessary legal formalities. According to a document shared by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), the Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI) battalion admitted to its role in the act that led to the death of Haokip. Following this admission, the JKLI agreed to resolve the matter under customary law and offered Rs 11 lakh as compensation to her family. Gracie, her niece, confirmed that the arrangement has been made. After Haokip's death, ITLF—comprising tribal organisations like Kuki Inpi, Paite Tribe Council, Simte Tribe Council, Vaiphei People's Council, Mizo People's Convention, and others—submitted a memorandum to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla Friday, urging immediate action over the killing. It said that the incident was a direct result of the violation of the buffer zone demarcated between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. It stressed the urgent need to uphold the sanctity of these zones until a mutually agreed-upon Memorandum of Understanding or a Cessation of Hostilities Agreement is in place. 'We urge the government to take firm and proactive measures to prevent future breaches and to ensure that such loss of innocent lives does not recur,' the memorandum read. According to the senior district police officer quoted above, the incident did not occur inside the designated buffer zone, but around four-five km away. The area is close to both Langchingmanbi, a Kuki-dominated village, and Phubala, which has a Meitei majority. 'Even then, the distance between the buffer zone and the place where the incident took place is more than a kilometre,' the officer clarified. The officer added that there had been a longstanding dispute over farming in the area. The assailants were believed to have come from deeper in the hills. 'They are not locals and do not appear to be connected to the communities farming in the immediate vicinity.' A video clip of a man, who was with the Meitei man shot in the paddy field, being heavily circulated, shows him describing the incident. 'They came down, crossed the high canal, and opened fire. The firing happened so close we could see their faces,' he can be heard saying. 'I had to roll over and lie flat. If I had been standing, I wouldn't be alive.' The Kuki civil society organisations then called for the indefinite shutdown in hill areas in protest. 'Mrs Hoikholhing fell victim to the ongoing campaign of state-sponsored ethnic cleansing directed against the Kuki minority. Her assassination is a chilling reminder of the deliberate and relentless violence that has engulfed our people, abetted by the inaction and at times, complicity of the state apparatus,' read the joint press release by the organisations. The shutdown ended Saturday. The 'shutdown' which was imposed earlier in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts passed off without any untoward incidents and normalcy has been restored in the districts. — Manipur Police (@manipur_police) June 21, 2025 Five days ago, there was a similar flare-up in the Pukhao Leitanpokpi area of Manipur's Imphal East district, following a clash between members of the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities over an alleged farmland dispute. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: 'Manipur shows double-engine sarkar has failed. Kuki-Meitei don't trust govt' says GK Pillai
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
NE groups slam US travel advisory, call it ‘utterly irrational'
Guwahati: As the US State Department issued a Level-2 travel advisory for India, with special mention of Manipur and the northeast, leading organisations of the region like the North East Student Organisation (Neso) raised strong objections to such a move. Post-pandemic, tourist footfall has increased across several northeastern destinations, particularly in Assam. A key factor behind this rise has been the improved law and order situation, following the surrender of multiple militant outfits. Neso advisor Samujjal Bhattacharjya said the latest Level-2 travel advisory for India by the US State Department was unwarranted and unjustified. "The entire North-Eastern region is safe and best known for its hospitality. It has always welcomed visitors from across the globe," Bhattacharjya wrote on his X handle on Sunday. He said that such blanket advisories perpetuate unfounded prejudices and must be reconsidered. The All Assam Students' Union (Aasu), a constituent of Neso, also said the travel advisory was utterly irrational. "Assam is a state known for its scenic beauty and the hospitality of the local people. Safety was never a concern for tourists and visitors in Assam. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Doutor: Manter a massa muscular após os 50 anos depende deste hábito noturno Revista do Homem Saiba Mais Undo In fact, the entire Northeast is tourist-friendly," Aasu president Utpal Sarma said. Sarma noted that the advisory issued by the US may inadvertently perpetuate biases. He added, "This is totally unwarranted and needs sincere correction." While Manipur has faced ethnic unrest for over two years, the number of violent incidents has reportedly declined since the imposition of President's Rule in Feb. Responding to the advisory, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) convenor Khuraijam Athouba said, "We believe that it is a direct consequence of the Govt of India's reimposition of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime in Manipur with effect from Jan 1, 2024, in the wake of the ongoing Manipur crisis. This move has misinformed the global community about the actual situation in Manipur and the region, projecting a distorted picture of the security environment, whereas we firmly believe that it has nothing to do with the safety or security of visiting foreigners." Regarding the northeast, the travel advisory for northeastern states urged reconsideration of travel to this area "due to terrorism and violence". "Ethnic insurgent groups occasionally commit acts of violence in parts of the northeast," read the advisory, adding that these incidents include bombings of buses, trains, rail lines, and markets. The advisory, however, stated that there were no recent reports of violence in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, or Tripura. US govt employees working in India require prior approval before visiting the states of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as when visiting any areas outside of the capital cities of Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura. The advisory advised not to travel to Manipur due to the threat of violence and crime. "Ongoing ethnic-based conflict resulted in reports of extensive violence and community displacement," it added. While the advisory mentioned that attacks against Indian govt targets occur on a regular basis, it stated that US govt employees working in India require prior approval before visiting Manipur.
Indian Express
18-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
3 months after President's Rule, Manipur seeks Rs 1,000 crore from Centre as special assistance
Three months after President's Rule was imposed in Manipur, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has sought Rs 1,000 crore from the Central government as a special assistance grant for the state in the backdrop of the ethnic violence which broke out over two years ago, adversely affecting the state's economic activity and revenue collection, people familiar with the matter told The Indian Express. It has been separately learned that Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has also requested an early release of Rs 500 crore of the Rs 1,000 crore to meet the state's immediate requirements, such as clearing the pension backlog and security-related expenses. The Indian Express has learnt that the Finance Ministry has decided to grant additional funds of Rs 500 crore to Manipur as of now towards various projects under the existing Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2025-26. In a communication to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in May, Bhalla is learnt to have spoken about reduced revenue collection because of the unrest in Manipur that followed the ethnic violence which broke out in May 2023. This, he had mentioned, affected the state government's ability to pay pensions, salaries, and other committed liabilities, adding that pension backlogs amounted to Rs 600 crore. It is learnt that the Manipur Governor pointed to tax revenue losses for the state for the 2024-25 fiscal at Rs 1,554 crore compared to Rs 1,528 crore in the previous fiscal. He mentioned that the revenue collection for the state in 2022-23 was Rs 1,983 crore, which shows that there hasn't been any significant recovery in revenue collection, and this may affect the state's ability to meet its developmental and security-related objectives. He is also understood to have pointed out that poor revenue collection has also been due to state expenses on relief and law and order, adding that dues worth Rs 300 crore are yet to be paid to the state by the Ministry of Home Affairs as reimbursement under these heads. He told the finance ministry that the special assistance grant of Rs 1,000 crore to Manipur will help the state clear pension backlogs and meet expenses for security and relief measures for people who had been displaced due to the violence. It will also help the state give its share in various Centrally sponsored schemes and aid with taking various developmental measures in rural areas of the state, particularly in the hill areas. The Manipur Governor has also conveyed that the state has been unable to claim funds under the 15th Finance Commission grants for local bodies from 2021-22, which amounts to Rs 629 crore, due to its inability to hold elections for urban local bodies and Autonomous District Councils from 2020 and for Panchayati Raj institutions from 2022. Earlier, the Ministry of Finance had provided Rs 500 crore to the state as special assistance for revenue loss and economic recovery, which was provided in two instalments. The funds are understood to have been fully utilised by the state. Last year, The Indian Express reported that the Manipur government, ahead of the Union Budget presentation, had approached the Centre with a wishlist that includes demand for additional funds over and above the 10 per cent usually earmarked from gross budgetary support for northeastern states, financial support for 5,000 units of housing for violence-affected victims as a special project under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PM-AWAS), and enhanced allocation for security-related expenditure. Last year, former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh sought a financial grant of Rs 2,000 crore from the Centre as a special case, citing the loss of tax revenue in the state due to security and economic challenges. In October 2023, Singh had also requested a three-month advance of Manipur's share in Central taxes to tackle the financial crisis due to the ethnic clashes in the state.
