Shutdown affects life as Manipur mourns those killed in ethnic violence on two years of conflict
It was on this day in 2023 that ethnic clashes broke out between the Meteis and Kukis, which left over 260 people killed, 1,500 injured, and over 70,000 people displaced, according to officials.
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The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Manipur government suspends Internet services for five days in five valley districts
The Manipur government has ordered suspension of Internet and mobile data services, including VSAT and VPN, in the territorial jurisdiction of five valley districts for five days with effect from 11.45 p.m. on Saturday (June 8, 2025), an official statement said. Also Read | Centre to resume talks with Kuki-Zo insurgents, says camps near Meitei areas must be closed before renegotiating SoO pact The districts include Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching. The order issued by Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home), N. Ashok Kumar, said, 'In view of the prevailing law and order situation, especially in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur districts, there is apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and hate video messages to incite the passion of the public, which might have serious repercussions on the law and order situation of the State.' 'The order is being passed ex-parte in view of the emergent situation. Any person found guilty of violating the order will be liable to face legal action,' it added. Also Read | Ban on movement of Kukis in Naga areas suspended The order followed widespread protests in Imphal East and Imphal West districts on Saturday night after the arrest of a leader of Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
Ban on movement of Kukis in Naga areas suspended
A Manipur group has suspended its ban on the movement of the Kuki people within the territories of four Naga communities. The Committee on Protection of Indigenous People's Ancestral Land (COPIPAL) said that the ban, which was to have taken effect on June 2, was withdrawn 'for some time' in the 'interest of maintaining peace' in the State. The COPIPAL, formed during a people's consultative meeting convened by the Joint Tribes Council on April 14 in the Kangpokpi district's Konsaram village, had announced a 'complete restriction on the movement of Kukis' within the territories of the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei, and Zeme Naga communities. Konsaram is one of the oldest Naga villages in Manipur. According to the committee, the Kukis attacked the Liangmai Naga inhabitants of the village in an 'unprovoked and orchestrated act of aggression' on April 5, severely 'undermining the peace and dignity' of the indigenous Naga people. The COPIPAL described the attack as a threat to the safety, rights, and cultural identity of the Naga communities. Reacting to the COPIPAL decision on May 28, the Regional Naga Council of Manipur directed the Naga leaders and frontal organisations concerned to uphold the declaration of ban within their respective jurisdictions. However, the apex United Naga Council and the Joint Tribes Council later sought relaxation of the ban to facilitate people in the conflict-scarred State. The Nagas have been largely neutral in the conflict between the tribal Kuki-Zo and the non-tribal Meitei communities that broke out on May 3, 2025, claiming more than 250 human lives and displacing some 60,000 others. Manipur has been under the President's Rule since February 13, days after N. Biren Singh resigned as the Chief Minister.
Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Indian Express
In Manipur, push for a return to popular government is understandable
Since the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur on February 13, the state assembly has remained in suspended animation, following the BJP's failure to reach a consensus on a successor to former chief minister N Biren Singh. As the assembly has not been dissolved, it retains the possibility of being revived when the prevailing conditions allow for the formation of a government. Reflecting growing discontent with the present standstill, a group of 10 NDA MLAs met Governor Ajay Bhalla at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday, urging the formation of a 'popular government' in the state. They claimed the support of 44 legislators in the 60-member Assembly (one seat currently lies vacant). However, the revocation of President's Rule appears unlikely in the near future — almost 25 months into the ethnic conflict, it is telling that peace remains the immediate priority, not government formation. On April 29, the same 10 MLAs, along with 11 other NDA legislators, had written to the Centre with a similar demand. Their push for a return to a popular government is understandable — after all, the BJP won a mandate in the 2022 Assembly election. The difficulty, however, lies in the nature of the proposed arrangement, which does not include representation for the Kuki-Zo communities. By their own admission, those who claim the support of 44 MLAs have not included the 10 Kuki-Zomi MLAs — seven of whom were elected on BJP tickets. The supposed consensus behind the push for a return of popular government, thus, reflects a consensus among the Meiteis, but not between the Meiteis and Kukis. The Centre's hesitation to revoke President's Rule acknowledges the persisting instability in the state — illustrated by the unrest in Imphal less than two weeks ago between protesters and security forces, over the alleged instructions to cover the word 'Manipur' on a state-run transport bus (Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh has expressed regret and announced an inquiry into the incident). While there is some consolation in the fact that there has been no violent standoff between the two communities in recent weeks, significant challenges remain — of rebuilding trust, addressing grievances, and tackling the structural issues that lie at the heart of the conflict. An estimated 3,000 looted weapons remain un-recovered. Thousands of displaced persons remain in relief camps. Kukis and Meiteis continue to be segregated between hill and valley. Only an inclusive political process that brings all stakeholders to the table can offer a path to lasting peace. Without such a process, even a well-intentioned return to a popular government risks another cycle of violence.
