News Analysis India

Tag: Meitei

  • In strife-torn Manipur, Kuki and Meitei academicians make a joint appeal for peace

    Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: As the embers of ethnic clashes continue to flare in Manipur, two academicians from the warring communities shared the dais and made a fervent appeal for peace.

    Dr T Tombing, a Kuki and Dr Yengkhom Jilangamba, a Meitei, were together in their call for peace.

    In the presence of Fr Thomas Menamparampil, a retired archbishop, on the dais, Dr T Tombing and Dr Yengkhom Jilangamba listened to the speakers, including intellectuals, who called for peace and brotherhood, with rapt attention. Later, they stood together in absolute bonhomie as they answered queries from media persons.

    Dr Tombing, who teaches at the National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam said only the return of peace could lead to reconciliation.

    “Peace may be the first step ahead. Secondly, the concerns of the victims from both sides have to be addressed,” he said.

    “The State has to play a very important role to ensure that the idea of justice is writ large in their actions, deeds and intentions,” he categorically stated.

    Dr Jilangamba, who teaches at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati campus, felt different groups could play different roles in bringing about peace and normalcy. He said not only the State, but the media could also play an important role in restoring peace.

    “The civil society groups, especially those in other parts of the region, can play a very constructive role. They can send across a message that the people in the neighbourhood are equally concerned about bringing peace in Manipur,” Dr Jilangamba said.

    He said if different groups and organisations of the Northeast come together and stand in solidarity with the people of Manipur, it would help restore peace.

    Assam’s well-known scholar Dr Hiren Gohain said the immediate concern of everyone should be to give peace a chance. 

    “We all must think and work on how we can bring about peace in this environment of hostility. It is important for people from both communities to come together. They should keep talking to each other,” Dr Gohain said.

    The Axom Nagarik Samaj, a citizens’ group, had organised the event to make an appeal for peace in Manipur. Rajya Sabha member Ajit Kumar Bhuyan was among the speakers.

    GUWAHATI: As the embers of ethnic clashes continue to flare in Manipur, two academicians from the warring communities shared the dais and made a fervent appeal for peace.

    Dr T Tombing, a Kuki and Dr Yengkhom Jilangamba, a Meitei, were together in their call for peace.

    In the presence of Fr Thomas Menamparampil, a retired archbishop, on the dais, Dr T Tombing and Dr Yengkhom Jilangamba listened to the speakers, including intellectuals, who called for peace and brotherhood, with rapt attention. Later, they stood together in absolute bonhomie as they answered queries from media persons.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Dr Tombing, who teaches at the National Law University & Judicial Academy, Assam said only the return of peace could lead to reconciliation.

    “Peace may be the first step ahead. Secondly, the concerns of the victims from both sides have to be addressed,” he said.

    “The State has to play a very important role to ensure that the idea of justice is writ large in their actions, deeds and intentions,” he categorically stated.

    Dr Jilangamba, who teaches at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati campus, felt different groups could play different roles in bringing about peace and normalcy. He said not only the State, but the media could also play an important role in restoring peace.

    “The civil society groups, especially those in other parts of the region, can play a very constructive role. They can send across a message that the people in the neighbourhood are equally concerned about bringing peace in Manipur,” Dr Jilangamba said.

    He said if different groups and organisations of the Northeast come together and stand in solidarity with the people of Manipur, it would help restore peace.

    Assam’s well-known scholar Dr Hiren Gohain said the immediate concern of everyone should be to give peace a chance. 

    “We all must think and work on how we can bring about peace in this environment of hostility. It is important for people from both communities to come together. They should keep talking to each other,” Dr Gohain said.

    The Axom Nagarik Samaj, a citizens’ group, had organised the event to make an appeal for peace in Manipur. Rajya Sabha member Ajit Kumar Bhuyan was among the speakers.

  • Manipur violence: Centre faces the heat over two women paraded naked; four arrested

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI/IMPHAL: The grinding violence that has roiled Manipur for more than two months burst onto the national centre stage on Thursday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CJI D Y Chandrachud expressed deep anguish over a graphic video of two disrobed women being brutalised by a mob, calling the incident “shameful” and “unacceptable.”

    The incident in a village in Kangpokpi district that was captured in the 26-second video and stoked a nationwide outrage took place a day after ethnic violence erupted in the northeastern state on May 3 but the horrific footage surfaced only on Wednesday and became viral after the internet ban was lifted.

    Hours after Prime Minister Modi in his first public comments on the Manipur violence vowed that no guilty will be spared and law will act with its “full might and firmness”, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said the police have arrested two men.

    CJI Chandrachud also warned that the apex court will take action if nothing is happening on the ground.

    Taking suo motu cognisance of the video, police last night said a case of abduction, gang rape and murder was registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station against unknown armed men.

    ALSO READ | CM Biren says accused in Manipur horror video ‘arrested immediately’, but old FIRs show dereliction of duty

    The video capturing the ordeal of the two tribal women has become emblematic of the divide between the majority Meitei community and the Kuki tribal group, as political leaders cutting across party lines condemned the incident which also rocked Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon session.

    “Today, when I am standing by this temple of democracy my heart is full of pain and anger,” Modi told reporters at Parliament complex amid criticism by opposition parties for not speaking on the ethnic violence in the BJP-ruled state.

    “I want to assure the countrymen that no guilty will be spared. The law will act with its full might and firmness…What has happened to these daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven.”

    The incident in the state is “shameful” for any decent society and it has insulted the entire country and the 140 crore countrymen are feeling ashamed, he added.

    Chief Minister Biren Singh said a thorough investigation is underway and strict action, including possible capital punishment, will follow. “It’s a crime against humanity. We will not spare anyone,” he told reporters in Imphal.

    Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after the May 4 video showed two women from one of the warring communities in the state being paraded naked by a mob from the other side.

    ‘Grossest constitutional and human rights violation’

    The anguish over the incident found echo in the Supreme Court where a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Chandrachud took cognisance of the video and asked the Centre and the Manipur government to take immediate action. It also said using women as instruments for perpetrating violence is “simply unacceptable in a constitutional democracy.”

    “We are very deeply disturbed by the videos which have emerged yesterday about the way those two women were paraded in Manipur,” said the bench, also comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Manoj Misra.

    “I think it is time that the government really steps in and takes action because this is simply unacceptable,” the CJI said, adding, “We will give a little time to the government to act, otherwise we will take action if nothing is happening on the ground.”

    He also termed it the “grossest” Constitutional and human rights violation, adding that the court is conscious of the fact that the video is from May 4 but that makes no difference.

    The Centre also asked Twitter and other social media platforms to take down a video of the incident since the matter is being probed. Sources said the videos were inflammatory, and as the matter is under investigation, Twitter and other social media companies have been asked to remove the video.

    Senior BJP leader and former law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the party “condemns” the incident but said the surfacing of its footage on social media just a day ahead of Parliament’s Monsoon Session is “surrounded by a lot of mystery.”

    ‘Humanity has died’

    Proceedings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were disrupted and adjourned for the day with opposition MPs creating an uproar over the incident and demanding a discussion in Parliament.

    Outside Parliament, opposition parties, including the Congress, Shiv Sena and DMK, took up the issue in a big way. Hitting out at the government, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the prime minister had broken his silence on Manipur but it was “too little too late.”

    Accusing the Centre of turning democracy into a “mobocracy”, party president Mallikarjun Kharge said “humanity has died in Manipur” and asked Modi to speak about the ethnic violence-hit state in Parliament and tell the nation what happened.

    Echoing him, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “This incident is shameful for the whole country. It is very disturbing.”

    Hitting out at the Centre over the violence in Manipur, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said “mothers and daughters” of the country are crying after seeing the video.

    The National Commission for Women(NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and asked the Manipur state police chief to take prompt action in the matter.

    Members of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) also staged a protest in the state.

    One of the eyewitnesses to the May 4 incident, Hahat Vaiphei, claimed the villagers of B Phainom thwarted a similar attempt by a mob the previous day.

    More than 160 people have lost their lives, and several have been injured since ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3, when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

    Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts.

    NEW DELHI/IMPHAL: The grinding violence that has roiled Manipur for more than two months burst onto the national centre stage on Thursday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CJI D Y Chandrachud expressed deep anguish over a graphic video of two disrobed women being brutalised by a mob, calling the incident “shameful” and “unacceptable.”

    The incident in a village in Kangpokpi district that was captured in the 26-second video and stoked a nationwide outrage took place a day after ethnic violence erupted in the northeastern state on May 3 but the horrific footage surfaced only on Wednesday and became viral after the internet ban was lifted.

    Hours after Prime Minister Modi in his first public comments on the Manipur violence vowed that no guilty will be spared and law will act with its “full might and firmness”, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said the police have arrested two men.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    CJI Chandrachud also warned that the apex court will take action if nothing is happening on the ground.

    Taking suo motu cognisance of the video, police last night said a case of abduction, gang rape and murder was registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station against unknown armed men.

    ALSO READ | CM Biren says accused in Manipur horror video ‘arrested immediately’, but old FIRs show dereliction of duty

    The video capturing the ordeal of the two tribal women has become emblematic of the divide between the majority Meitei community and the Kuki tribal group, as political leaders cutting across party lines condemned the incident which also rocked Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon session.

    “Today, when I am standing by this temple of democracy my heart is full of pain and anger,” Modi told reporters at Parliament complex amid criticism by opposition parties for not speaking on the ethnic violence in the BJP-ruled state.

    “I want to assure the countrymen that no guilty will be spared. The law will act with its full might and firmness…What has happened to these daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven.”

    The incident in the state is “shameful” for any decent society and it has insulted the entire country and the 140 crore countrymen are feeling ashamed, he added.

    Chief Minister Biren Singh said a thorough investigation is underway and strict action, including possible capital punishment, will follow. “It’s a crime against humanity. We will not spare anyone,” he told reporters in Imphal.

    Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after the May 4 video showed two women from one of the warring communities in the state being paraded naked by a mob from the other side.

    ‘Grossest constitutional and human rights violation’

    The anguish over the incident found echo in the Supreme Court where a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Chandrachud took cognisance of the video and asked the Centre and the Manipur government to take immediate action. It also said using women as instruments for perpetrating violence is “simply unacceptable in a constitutional democracy.”

    “We are very deeply disturbed by the videos which have emerged yesterday about the way those two women were paraded in Manipur,” said the bench, also comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Manoj Misra.

    “I think it is time that the government really steps in and takes action because this is simply unacceptable,” the CJI said, adding, “We will give a little time to the government to act, otherwise we will take action if nothing is happening on the ground.”

    He also termed it the “grossest” Constitutional and human rights violation, adding that the court is conscious of the fact that the video is from May 4 but that makes no difference.

    The Centre also asked Twitter and other social media platforms to take down a video of the incident since the matter is being probed. Sources said the videos were inflammatory, and as the matter is under investigation, Twitter and other social media companies have been asked to remove the video.

    Senior BJP leader and former law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the party “condemns” the incident but said the surfacing of its footage on social media just a day ahead of Parliament’s Monsoon Session is “surrounded by a lot of mystery.”

    ‘Humanity has died’

    Proceedings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were disrupted and adjourned for the day with opposition MPs creating an uproar over the incident and demanding a discussion in Parliament.

    Outside Parliament, opposition parties, including the Congress, Shiv Sena and DMK, took up the issue in a big way. Hitting out at the government, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the prime minister had broken his silence on Manipur but it was “too little too late.”

    Accusing the Centre of turning democracy into a “mobocracy”, party president Mallikarjun Kharge said “humanity has died in Manipur” and asked Modi to speak about the ethnic violence-hit state in Parliament and tell the nation what happened.

    Echoing him, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “This incident is shameful for the whole country. It is very disturbing.”

    Hitting out at the Centre over the violence in Manipur, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said “mothers and daughters” of the country are crying after seeing the video.

    The National Commission for Women(NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and asked the Manipur state police chief to take prompt action in the matter.

    Members of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) also staged a protest in the state.

    One of the eyewitnesses to the May 4 incident, Hahat Vaiphei, claimed the villagers of B Phainom thwarted a similar attempt by a mob the previous day.

    More than 160 people have lost their lives, and several have been injured since ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3, when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

    Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts.

  • In search for peace, Amit Shah holds talks with Kuki, Meitei leaders in violence-hit Manipur

    By PTI

    IMPHAL: As part of his mission to broker a lasting peace in the troubled Manipur state, Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday met a cross-section of Kuki and Meitei leaders and civil society groups besides top security officers to seek a solution to the spate of ethnic clashes which has plagued the state.

    Shah on Tuesday also visited Churachandpur, the scene of some of the worst rioting in the recent ethnic conflict which broke out in Manipur earlier to hold talks with Kuki leaders.

    He also held a series of discussions with different Meitei groups, women and prominent personalities earlier during the day in Imphal before flying to the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district.

    Later in the night, he also held an all-party meeting and a meeting with the top brass of central police forces, Manipur police and the army and ask them to ensure peace.

    In Imphal, Shah held consultations on Tuesday with stakeholders starting with a breakfast meeting with a group of women leaders at Raj Bhavan as part of his initiative to bring peace to the violence-hit state.

    “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.

    According to a home ministry spokesperson, Shah had a (separate) meeting with prominent personalities in Imphal in the morning who assured their commitment to peace and also conveyed that they would work towards restoring peace in the state.

    After that he met several CSO groups and prominent personalities from the Meitei community at the Secretariat before leaving for Churachandpur.

    “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,” he added.

    After meeting Shah, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba said they requested the Union Home Minister to take appropriate measures to protect the territorial and administrative integrity of the state.

    He said that Shah had assured the delegation of no compromise on Manipur’s territorial integrity.

    Another group — award-winning international and national sportspersons from Manipur including Anita Chanu and N Kunjrani Devi — on Tuesday tried to meet him and later said at a press conference that they will return the prizes given to them by the government if the state’s territorial integrity is compromised.

    Shah who was accompanied by the IB chief and Home Secretary, held three rounds of talks with various groups such as Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) and other civil society organisations. He also met five Kuki MLAs from the BJP.

    The Home Minister requested the Kuki society to maintain peace and assured he would send in more security personnel if needed to ensure the safety of common people, he added.

     ITLF secretary Muan Tombing told PTI, “He (Shah) told us that the CBI will be entrusted with carrying out a detailed probe to find out the reasons behind this prolonged clash. Besides, a judicial enquiry will also be announced.”

    Tombing said his group “demanded separation from Manipur” and also sought “President’s Rule” in the state.

    After coming back from Churachandpur, Shah Later in the evening, held an all-party meeting in Imphal.

    The Home Minister also reviewed the security situation with senior officials of Manipur Police, central police forces and the Indian Army. “Peace and prosperity of Manipur is our top priority,” he said and instructed the officials to strictly deal with any activities disturbing the peace.

    Manipur has been hit by ethnic conflict for nearly a month and 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 Home Minister who flew into Imphal on Monday night was accompanied by the Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Kumar Deka.

    Earlier in the day, the government announced it will provide a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of those who died in the ethnic conflict and a job to a family member. The compensation amount will be borne equally by the Centre and the state, an official release said.

    The decision was taken at a meeting between the union Home minister and Biren Singh in the presence of some members of the council of ministers on Monday night.

    During the meeting, it was also decided to ensure that essential items such as petrol, LPG, rice and other foodgrains will be made available in large quantities to cool down rising prices.

    Shah will visit Moreh and Kangpokpi areas Wednesday. He will interact with the delegations of various local groups in Moreh followed by meeting with civil society organisations in Kangpokpi.

    Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan in Pune said that challenges in Manipur have not disappeared, but expressed hope that things will settle down in some time while noting the ongoing situation in the North Eastern state is not related to insurgency.

    “We are helping the state government with the problem,” he added.

    “I would like to say that the Army and Assam Rifles have done an excellent job there and may have saved a large number of lives. Hopefully, this will settle and the government there will be able to do the job with the help of CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) etc,” the CDS said.

    IMPHAL: As part of his mission to broker a lasting peace in the troubled Manipur state, Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday met a cross-section of Kuki and Meitei leaders and civil society groups besides top security officers to seek a solution to the spate of ethnic clashes which has plagued the state.

    Shah on Tuesday also visited Churachandpur, the scene of some of the worst rioting in the recent ethnic conflict which broke out in Manipur earlier to hold talks with Kuki leaders.

    He also held a series of discussions with different Meitei groups, women and prominent personalities earlier during the day in Imphal before flying to the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2′); });

    Later in the night, he also held an all-party meeting and a meeting with the top brass of central police forces, Manipur police and the army and ask them to ensure peace.

    In Imphal, Shah held consultations on Tuesday with stakeholders starting with a breakfast meeting with a group of women leaders at Raj Bhavan as part of his initiative to bring peace to the violence-hit state.

    “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.

    According to a home ministry spokesperson, Shah had a (separate) meeting with prominent personalities in Imphal in the morning who assured their commitment to peace and also conveyed that they would work towards restoring peace in the state.

    After that he met several CSO groups and prominent personalities from the Meitei community at the Secretariat before leaving for Churachandpur.

    “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,” he added.

    After meeting Shah, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) coordinator Jeetendra Ningomba said they requested the Union Home Minister to take appropriate measures to protect the territorial and administrative integrity of the state.

    He said that Shah had assured the delegation of no compromise on Manipur’s territorial integrity.

    Another group — award-winning international and national sportspersons from Manipur including Anita Chanu and N Kunjrani Devi — on Tuesday tried to meet him and later said at a press conference that they will return the prizes given to them by the government if the state’s territorial integrity is compromised.

    Shah who was accompanied by the IB chief and Home Secretary, held three rounds of talks with various groups such as Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) and other civil society organisations. He also met five Kuki MLAs from the BJP.

    The Home Minister requested the Kuki society to maintain peace and assured he would send in more security personnel if needed to ensure the safety of common people, he added.

     ITLF secretary Muan Tombing told PTI, “He (Shah) told us that the CBI will be entrusted with carrying out a detailed probe to find out the reasons behind this prolonged clash. Besides, a judicial enquiry will also be announced.”

    Tombing said his group “demanded separation from Manipur” and also sought “President’s Rule” in the state.

    After coming back from Churachandpur, Shah Later in the evening, held an all-party meeting in Imphal.

    The Home Minister also reviewed the security situation with senior officials of Manipur Police, central police forces and the Indian Army. “Peace and prosperity of Manipur is our top priority,” he said and instructed the officials to strictly deal with any activities disturbing the peace.

    Manipur has been hit by ethnic conflict for nearly a month and 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 Home Minister who flew into Imphal on Monday night was accompanied by the Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Director of the Intelligence Bureau Tapan Kumar Deka.

    Earlier in the day, the government announced it will provide a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of those who died in the ethnic conflict and a job to a family member. The compensation amount will be borne equally by the Centre and the state, an official release said.

    The decision was taken at a meeting between the union Home minister and Biren Singh in the presence of some members of the council of ministers on Monday night.

    During the meeting, it was also decided to ensure that essential items such as petrol, LPG, rice and other foodgrains will be made available in large quantities to cool down rising prices.

    Shah will visit Moreh and Kangpokpi areas Wednesday. He will interact with the delegations of various local groups in Moreh followed by meeting with civil society organisations in Kangpokpi.

    Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan in Pune said that challenges in Manipur have not disappeared, but expressed hope that things will settle down in some time while noting the ongoing situation in the North Eastern state is not related to insurgency.

    “We are helping the state government with the problem,” he added.

    “I would like to say that the Army and Assam Rifles have done an excellent job there and may have saved a large number of lives. Hopefully, this will settle and the government there will be able to do the job with the help of CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) etc,” the CDS said.

  • Four civilians, 40 militants killed in violence-hit Manipur as unrest continues

    Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: At least 40 militants were killed in the ongoing operations by the security forces and the police in restive Manipur even as sporadic incidents of firing and arson were reported from four districts on Sunday, on the eve of Union home minister Amit Shah’s visit to the state.

    Official sources said the militants were killed in separate operations over the past four days. An estimated 34,000 Army and paramilitary personnel are deployed in the state.

    Four civilians lost their lives in the stray incidents — three in Sugnu in Kakching district and another in Phayeng in Imphal West district on Sunday, local media reported.

    At least 10 others — injured in the violence in Sugnu — were admitted to a hospital in Imphal. Violence was also reported from Imphal East and areas on the border of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts. The state government condemned the attacks on unarmed civilians. 

    At Uripok in Imphal West district, a mob ransacked the house of BJP MLA Kh Raghumani Singh and torched two vehicles. 

    After briefing Army Chief General Manoj Pandey on the prevailing situation, Chief Minister N Biren Singh told journalists that mass combing operations along with helicopter surveillance were underway. 

    “We are trying to find out the culprits, those militants who are attacking civilians. Around 33 militants have been killed,” he said.

    However, a government statement said “around 30 terrorists” were killed. A senior official said the number of militants killed rose to 40 by 5 pm. Several others were nabbed.

    Singh said the government was saddened by the casualties on both sides and assured all possible steps in restoring normalcy. 

    He said the spurt in violent attacks on civilian houses appeared well-planned “to show their capacity” especially when Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai is in the state and “group peace missions” are being formed as part of the efforts to bring back peace.

    He said those trying to break the state and disrupt peaceful co-existence were the enemies of all 34 communities. 

    Stating that this clearly is a challenge to the state and its integrity, he said the government would not allow disintegration and uproot “these armed terrorists”.  He said the fight is between armed terrorists and the state government which was being assisted by the Centre.

    Meanwhile, Shah, who is arriving in the state on a three-day visit on Monday, is likely to meet the leaders of various communities. Army’s Eastern Commander Lieutenant General RP Kalita visited several sensitive districts over the past few days to assess the ground situation.

    GUWAHATI: At least 40 militants were killed in the ongoing operations by the security forces and the police in restive Manipur even as sporadic incidents of firing and arson were reported from four districts on Sunday, on the eve of Union home minister Amit Shah’s visit to the state.

    Official sources said the militants were killed in separate operations over the past four days. An estimated 34,000 Army and paramilitary personnel are deployed in the state.

    Four civilians lost their lives in the stray incidents — three in Sugnu in Kakching district and another in Phayeng in Imphal West district on Sunday, local media reported.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    At least 10 others — injured in the violence in Sugnu — were admitted to a hospital in Imphal. Violence was also reported from Imphal East and areas on the border of Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts. The state government condemned the attacks on unarmed civilians. 

    At Uripok in Imphal West district, a mob ransacked the house of BJP MLA Kh Raghumani Singh and torched two vehicles. 

    After briefing Army Chief General Manoj Pandey on the prevailing situation, Chief Minister N Biren Singh told journalists that mass combing operations along with helicopter surveillance were underway. 

    “We are trying to find out the culprits, those militants who are attacking civilians. Around 33 militants have been killed,” he said.

    However, a government statement said “around 30 terrorists” were killed. A senior official said the number of militants killed rose to 40 by 5 pm. Several others were nabbed.

    Singh said the government was saddened by the casualties on both sides and assured all possible steps in restoring normalcy. 

    He said the spurt in violent attacks on civilian houses appeared well-planned “to show their capacity” especially when Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai is in the state and “group peace missions” are being formed as part of the efforts to bring back peace.

    He said those trying to break the state and disrupt peaceful co-existence were the enemies of all 34 communities. 

    Stating that this clearly is a challenge to the state and its integrity, he said the government would not allow disintegration and uproot “these armed terrorists”.  He said the fight is between armed terrorists and the state government which was being assisted by the Centre.

    Meanwhile, Shah, who is arriving in the state on a three-day visit on Monday, is likely to meet the leaders of various communities. Army’s Eastern Commander Lieutenant General RP Kalita visited several sensitive districts over the past few days to assess the ground situation.

  • Days after violence, Kukis demand “total separation” from Manipur

    Express News Service

    GUWAHATI: Following the ethnic clashes in Manipur, the Kukis have now raised a pitch for statehood. 

    Several Kuki leaders came together at a consultative meeting held in Kuki-majority Churachandpur on Saturday in the backdrop of the bout of violence. They were unanimous on statehood for the Kukis.

    The meeting comes days after Manipur had witnessed massive violence that claimed more than 60 lives

    “After the deliberation, we came to the conclusion that we demand total separation from the government of Manipur based on Article 3 which is statehood,” a Kuki leader, who attended the meeting, told TNIE.

    “We are aiming at statehood. Nothing less than a Union Territory,” he added. 

    Kuki leaders from only the Churachandpur district attended the meeting.

    Two days ago, all ten Kuki MLAs, including eight from the ruling BJP, demanded “separate administration” for the Kukis.

    They said the “unabated violence” against the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi hill tribals has already partitioned the state and effected a total separation from Manipur. 

    “We today represent the sentiments of our people and endorse their political aspiration of separation from the state of Manipur. We have also decided to hold a political consultation with our people at the earliest regarding further steps to be taken by us as a people,” a statement, jointly signed by the MLAs, said.

    “As the state of Manipur has miserably failed to protect us, we seek…SEPARATE ADMINISTRATION under the constitution of India and live peacefully as neighbors with the state of Manipur,” the statement added.

    Violent clashes in the state were reported since May 3 after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in the ten hill districts of Manipur to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

    Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of the state population and live mostly in the Imphal valley.

    Tribals — Nagas and Kukis — constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside mostly in the hill districts.

    GUWAHATI: Following the ethnic clashes in Manipur, the Kukis have now raised a pitch for statehood. 

    Several Kuki leaders came together at a consultative meeting held in Kuki-majority Churachandpur on Saturday in the backdrop of the bout of violence. They were unanimous on statehood for the Kukis.

    The meeting comes days after Manipur had witnessed massive violence that claimed more than 60 livesgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “After the deliberation, we came to the conclusion that we demand total separation from the government of Manipur based on Article 3 which is statehood,” a Kuki leader, who attended the meeting, told TNIE.

    “We are aiming at statehood. Nothing less than a Union Territory,” he added. 

    Kuki leaders from only the Churachandpur district attended the meeting.

    Two days ago, all ten Kuki MLAs, including eight from the ruling BJP, demanded “separate administration” for the Kukis.

    They said the “unabated violence” against the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi hill tribals has already partitioned the state and effected a total separation from Manipur. 

    “We today represent the sentiments of our people and endorse their political aspiration of separation from the state of Manipur. We have also decided to hold a political consultation with our people at the earliest regarding further steps to be taken by us as a people,” a statement, jointly signed by the MLAs, said.

    “As the state of Manipur has miserably failed to protect us, we seek…SEPARATE ADMINISTRATION under the constitution of India and live peacefully as neighbors with the state of Manipur,” the statement added.

    Violent clashes in the state were reported since May 3 after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) in the ten hill districts of Manipur to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

    Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of the state population and live mostly in the Imphal valley.

    Tribals — Nagas and Kukis — constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside mostly in the hill districts.