Manipur bus row: CS says will ensure non-recurrence
2
3
Imphal: Manipur chief secretary
Prashant Kumar Singh
on Thursday said the govt will ensure that the incident at Gwaltabi, where security forces allegedly covered the state's name written on the windshield of a bus with a white paper, does not occur in future.
He said the administration is committed to the integrity of the state of Manipur.
Addressing a press conference with security advisor Kuldiep Singh, Singh presented a prepared statement without entertaining questions from journalists. He highlighted that the Shirui Festival in Ukhrul, organised as part of peace-building efforts, drew approximately 1.70 lakh attendees.
He said families from various communities, including those from the valley areas and beyond state borders, attended the festival in Ukhrul, facilitated by comprehensive security arrangements and a safe environment.
Talking about the May 20 incident involving a Manipur State Road Transport bus carrying journalists to the Shirui Festival at Gwaltabi, he clarified that no directives were issued regarding covering the state's name. "This has been amply clarified by the state govt as well as by the responsible political leadership. What transpired on the ground, would be revealed after a thorough inquiry ," he added.
"The state administration has taken the reported untoward incident with utmost seriousness and the incident is deeply regretted.
In response governor has constituted an inquiry committee comprising of the commissioner home and the IT secretary which is to submit its report in a time bound manner," he said.
The chief secretary guaranteed appropriate action against those responsible for any lapses once the report is submitted, ensuring such incidents would not recur. He concluded by affirming the administration's dedication to Manipur's integrity and their goal of establishing lasting peace, while requesting public cooperation in maintaining order.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
05-08-2025
- Time of India
Zomi Council rejects Kuki-Zo identity, slams ‘covert talks' to open highways
Imphal: The Zomi Council has issued a stern directive to Kuki-Zo Council, demanding they establish offices only in areas where they are welcomed by the local populace. This move underscores the growing rift between tribal communities in the region, further complicating Manipur's already fragile socio-political landscape. The Zomi Council's statement comes in response to reports that certain central govt authorities have engaged in covert discussions with a civil society organization from the Manipur hills about reopening national highways amid the state's current unrest. The Zomi Council has vehemently opposed these talks, asserting that any discussions regarding the highways must include their participation. In a press release, the Zomi Council rejected the legitimacy of the "Kuki-Zo" identity and condemned what it described as unauthorized operations by the Kuki-Zo Council in Zomi-majority areas. The council emphasized its commitment to the rights and security of the Zomi people, represented by its nine constituent tribes. The council also criticized the Assam Rifles for allegedly supporting a particular civil society organization, accusing them of playing a divisive role. The Zomi Council reiterated its rejection of the "Kuki-Zo" identity, as per a resolution from its annual general assembly. The Zomi Council has cautioned the Kuki-Zo Council to operate only in areas where they are accepted, warning that failure to do so could compromise their security. The council has appealed to govt authorities to respect the Zomi people's strong sense of ownership over their ancestral lands.
Time of India
05-08-2025
- Time of India
Manipur regulates working hrs for women
Imphal: In a decisive move to bolster the safety and rights of women workers, the state govt has announced a new regulation prohibiting the employment of women in workplaces and factories during night hours. The order, issued by Anurag Bajpai, additional chief secretary (textiles, commerce & industry), restricts women from working between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am across the state, effective immediately upon its publication in the official gazette. This decision, rooted in the Factories Act, 1948, aims to protect women by setting stringent conditions for those who choose to work beyond 7:00pm. Employers must obtain written consent from female employees and ensure a safe working environment, including well-lit premises, CCTV surveillance, and secure transportation for late-night workers. The directive mandates compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, requiring factories to display women's rights prominently and appoint a grievance officer. Additionally, the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, must be adhered to, ensuring pregnant and lactating women are not scheduled beyond 6:00am to 7:00pm. The Manipur govt emphasizes the importance of these measures in fostering a safer and more inclusive industrial sector, urging factory managements to fully comply with the new regulations to uphold the dignity and rights of women workers.
The Hindu
22-07-2025
- The Hindu
Displaced Manipur families get ready to return home under security cover
GUWAHATI Several Meitei families displaced by ethnic violence are gearing up to return to their homes on the periphery of Manipur's Imphal Valley under security cover. Officials in the State's Imphal West district said a few people had begun cleaning the houses they abandoned after the conflict between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities broke out on May 3, 2023, leaving more than 250 dead over two years. In some cases, the people began repairing their houses damaged or destroyed during the peak of the conflict. Their families are expected to move in after the houses are made liveable. The district authorities and security forces enabled the displaced people from a village of 21 households in New Keithelmanbi to clean and repair their houses. The village is on the boundary with the Kangpokpi district, dominated by the Kuki-Zo community. Rations will continue 'The displaced people are being resettled in their original homes in coordination with the Deputy Commissioners of the adjoining districts. After returning home, they will continue to receive ration and benefits under the State livelihood mission,' Imphal West's Deputy Commissioner Mayanglambam Rajkumar told journalists after inspecting a few deserted fringe villages on Tuesday. 'Security will be provided to the people wherever there is a possibility of their returning home,' he said. On July 4, the State's former Chief Secretary, Prashant Kumar Singh, said the first of a three-phase resettlement plan for the internally displaced people, chalked out in association with the Centre, was under way. He claimed that about 5,000 of some 62,000 people displaced in the violence had returned to their villages. He also said the government planned to rehabilitate most of the displaced people by December and subsequently close the relief camps, many in educational institutions. The Manipur government is expected to provide a financial assistance of ₹3.03 lakh each to the 7,000-8,000 families, whose houses were destroyed during the violence, so that they can rebuild them wherever they want. The government, however, is aware that about 10,000 Meitei people would not be able to go back to their homes in the Kuki-majority Moreh (Tengnoupal district), Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur districts. They will be given the option of staying in some 1,000 prefabricated houses being built by Manipur Police Housing Corporation Limited. A similar arrangement will be made for the Kuki-Zo people who may be unable to return to Imphal Valley.
