Manipur marks two years of ethnic violence by remembering victims
Shutdowns marked the second anniversary of the ethnic conflict in Manipur as the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities remembered the victims of the violence in their respective areas of dominance on Saturday.
Educational institutions and businesses in the Meitei-majority Imphal Valley shut down in response to a call by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a conglomerate of social organisations, to attend a public convention at Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal.
People in the hills dominated by the Kuki-Zo group of tribes also observed a shutdown called by the Zomi Students Federation and the Kuki Students Organisation.
At the COCOMI event, people offered floral tributes in memory of the victims. The speakers, including scholars, eminent personalities, and leaders of civil society organisations, called for peace, justice, resolution of the conflict, and the protection of Manipur's territorial integrity.
The tenor of the Imphal convention contrasted with 'Separation Day', the theme of the anniversary event organised by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum, which has been batting for the rights of the Kuki-Zo people. The highlight of the forum's programme was the convergence of hundreds of people at the 'Wall of Remembrance' in Churachandpur to pay their homage to the Kuki-Zo victims of the conflict.
Editorial | Ending the tragedy: On the Manipur crisis, a solution
The emphasis of the 'Separation Day' was on the Kuki-Zo demand for a separate administration that has been gaining momentum since the ethnic conflict broke out two years ago.
Security was heightened in different parts of the State, specifically in the Kuki-Zo and Meitei areas. However, no untoward incident was reported.
The ethnic violence erupted on May 3, 2023, after tribals in the hill districts took out a solidarity rally to protest the State government's alleged move to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the Meiteis concentrated in the Imphal Valley, which along with the Jiribam area, comprise about 10% of Manipur's geographical area.
The violence left more than 250 people dead and some 60,000 others displaced. Most of the displaced people continue to live in relief camps.
Such has been the impact of the conflict that the Meiteis and Kuki-Zos are ethnically partitioned, unable to venture into each other's areas. The Centre tried to bridge the divide by opening up the highways — Manipur's lifelines connecting the Imphal Valley to the country beyond through the Kuki-Zo inhabited hills — on March 8.
The attempt, a month after Nongthombam Biren Singh stepped down as Manipur's Chief Minister on February 9, backfired and claimed a life in the process.
Manipur has been under President's Rule, imposed on February 13 after the Bharatiya Janata Party failed to reach a consensus on Mr. Singh's successor. A few days ago, 21 MLAs of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the State wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding the immediate installation of a 'popular government' in the State.
The Opposition Congress, meanwhile, demanded fresh elections as the 'double-engine government' and the President's Rule failed to bring back peace and normalcy in Manipur apart from ensuring free movement and the return of the displaced people to their homes.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Wire
an hour ago
- The Wire
‘Attack on Religious Right of Kashmir's Muslims,' Says Mirwaiz as J&K Govt Bar Eid Prayers at Srinagar Eidgah
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now Government 'Attack on Religious Right of Kashmir's Muslims,' Says Mirwaiz as J&K Govt Bar Eid Prayers at Srinagar Eidgah The Wire Staff 11 minutes ago The chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference was also reportedly put under house arrest. Hurriyat Conference Chairman and Chief Cleric of Jammu and Kashmir Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Photo: PTI/File. Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir authorities have barred congregational Eid prayers from taking place at the Eidgah grounds in Srinagar today (June 7) without specifying any reason in writing. The chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was also reportedly put under house arrest. In a post on X, Mirwaiz, who is also the chief cleric of Kashmir, said that the Jamia Masjid, Kashmir's biggest mosque in the summer capital Srinagar, was also locked by the authorities where the Eid prayer was scheduled to be organised on Saturday morning. Mirwaiz said that the grand mosque was closed on the eve of Eid for the seventh consecutive year following the reading down of Article 370 when Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated and demoted into two Union territories by the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP)-led Union government. 'In a Muslim-majority region, Muslims are deprived of their fundamental right to pray — even on their most important religious occasion celebrated across the world! What a shame on those who rule over us, and on those elected by the people who choose to remain silent as our rights are trampled over, again and again,' he said. Mirwaiz told The Wire that security forces barricaded the entry to his house on Saturday morning without any official intimation, 'They didn't allow me to come out to lead the Eid prayers. It is an attack on the basic religious right of the Muslims of Kashmir,' he said. No permission In a statement on Friday (June 6), Anjuman Auqaf Jama Masjid, the managing body of the historic mosque, said that the authorities didn't give permission for organising the Eid prayers at the Eidgah ground where thousands of people from different parts of Kashmir gathered to participate in the congregational prayers when J&K was a state. The managing body's statement said that it 'deeply regrets' the denial of permission for organising the prayer at the Eidgah ground which was planned 'in keeping with the longstanding Islamic tradition and the collective religious sentiment of the people'. The statement said that due to the refusal, the congregational prayers were going to be organised at Jamia Masjid on Saturday morning where Mirwaiz would deliver sermon 'on the philosophy and spirit of Eid and Qurbani (sacrifice)'. 'Auqaf urges all worshippers to attend the Eid prayers at Jama Masjid in large numbers and partake in the message of unity, sacrifice, and submission to the will of Allah (SWT) that Eid-ul-Adha embodies,' the statement said. However, the 14th century architectural marvel in Nowhatta locality of downtown Srinagar was closed on Saturday with police and paramilitary troopers turning away the worshippers who tried to gather for the Eid prayers while Mirwaiz was put under house-detention. A flock of pigeons flies past Jamia Masjid, Kashmir's oldest mosque in Nowhatta locality of downtown Srinagar, amid snowfall on December 27, 2024. Photo: Ubaid Mukhtar. This is not the first time that the authorities have locked Kashmir's largest mosque for worshippers on the eve of Eid without specifying any reason in writing. After J&K was bifurcated and split into two union territories, authorities have not allowed the Anjuman to organise congregational prayers at the mosque on sacred days of the Islamic calendar. On March 31, the mosque was locked by authorities on Eid-ul-Fitr while Mirwaiz was also put under house arrest. Authorities have also closed the mosque on the occasions of important islamic events including on Fridays, Shab-e-Qadr and Jummat-ul-Vida. J&K's security administration, which is under the Union home ministry, has unofficially cited the fears of law and order breakdown in the sensitive downtown locality which has been an epicentre of anti-India and pro-freedom protests to justify the ban of congregational prayers. Meanwhile, Eid prayers were held in the rest of the Union territory with thousands of people congregating in major shrines and mosques, including at the Asar-e-Sharief in Hazratbal of Srinagar, Khanqah-e-Moula in Budgam district's Chrari Sharief and other mosques and religious places on Saturday to mark the occasion. Following the reading down of Article 370 in 2019, the BJP-led Waqf board of J&K has taken over the management of most shrines and mosques in the Union territory, a decision which has been criticised by the Mirwaiz and other political parties. The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News The Search for the 'Bandung Spirit' The Grand Tamasha of Jammu and Kashmir Politics Unchallenged at Home and Abroad: Jawaharlal Nehru's Leadership With the Non-Aligned Movement As Plane to Srinagar Faced Storm Mid-Air, Request to Detour into Pak Airspace Turned Down Lone NC MP in All-Party Delegations to Not Join His Group, Cites Urs at Native Village Allahabad HC Upholds Trial Court's Order For Survey of Sambhal's Shahi Jama Masjid India Revokes Security Clearance To Turkish Airport Services Firm, Defers Initiation of Ambassador Kharge Alleges Modi Cancelled J&K Visit Due to Intel Report Before Pahalgam Attack India-Pakistan Stand-Off: Main Updates of May 10 About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Three militants arrested in Manipur
Security forces have arrested three militants, belonging to two proscribed outfits in Manipur, police said on Saturday. (June 7, 2025). All the arrests were made on Friday (June 6) in Bishnupur, Kakching and Imphal West districts, a senior officer said. One active cadre of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (Peoples' War Group) was apprehended from Wangoo Samushang area in Bishnupur for allegedly being involved in extortion activities, he said. The militant demanded money from schools, colleges, shopkeepers and elected members in Kumbi area, the officer said. Another member of the outfit was also arrested from Elangkhanpokpi Mayai Leikai area in Kakching district, the police said. A cadre of the proscribed UPPK was apprehended from Khumbong Bazar in Imphal West district. Security forces continued search operations and area domination exercises in the fringe and vulnerable areas in the hill and valley districts. Arms recovered During a search operation in Kotzim village in Kangpokpi district, three firearms, eight mortars and other articles were recovered, the police said. Four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also recovered from Yangoubung village in Tengnoupal district on Thursday (June 5). Security forces have been conducting search operations in Manipur since ethnic violence broke out two years ago. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in the ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. The Centre had on February 13 imposed the President's rule in Manipur after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
"Truly historic moment": Congress' Karan Singh lauds Modi Govt for realizing century-old railway dream in J-K
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 7 (ANI): Senior Congress leader and former Union Education Minister Karan Singh has praised the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central government for the inauguration of several historic railway projects in Jammu and Kashmir, including Chenab Railway Bridge, Anji Bridge, Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. Singh described the inauguration of the Katra-Srinagar train service as a truly historic moment in the region's history. In a statement issued on Friday, the former Member of Parliament said, 'Today marks a truly historic moment in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. The inauguration of the train from Katra to Srinagar is an astounding technical achievement, and everyone involved deserves our heartfelt gratitude.' He further stated, 'The idea of a railway line was first envisioned by Maharaja Pratap Singh several decades ago. In fact, three project reports were prepared by international engineers at the time, one of which closely resembles the present route. On March 1, 1892, Maharaja Pratap Singh even laid the foundation stone of a railway project to link Jammu and Kashmir. However, the technology and finances required for such a massive undertaking were not available back then.' The Senior Congress leader also congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the inauguration of USBRL project and flagging off of two Vande Bharat trains from Katra to Srinagar. Singh said, 'It was only during the tenures of Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Indira Gandhi that the project began to take shape. I extend my congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for seeing the project through to completion and inaugurating it today.' Singh hoped that this train service will usher in a new era of growth in tourism, trade, and commerce in Jammu and Kashmir. 'I am confident that this train service will usher in a new era of growth in tourism, trade, and commerce in both the Valley and Jammu. I look forward to taking this train journey myself soon to witness the marvelous bridges and tunnels that have been constructed,' he concluded. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Katra Railway Station, directly connecting the Jammu division with Kashmir. He also inaugurated the world's highest railway arch bridge - 'Chenab Railway Bridge' and India's first cable-stayed 'Anji Bridge' in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. This marks a major milestone in Jammu and Kashmir's railway connectivity. The architectural marvel Chenab Rail Bridge, situated 359 metres above the river, is the world's highest railway arch bridge. It is a 1,315-metre-long steel arch bridge engineered to withstand seismic and wind conditions. A key impact of the bridge will be in enhancing connectivity between Jammu and Srinagar. The new Vande Bharat Express train will take just about three hours to travel between Katra and Srinagar, reducing the existing travel time by two to three hours. The train will run through the Anji Khad Bridge, which is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, and the Chenab Bridge, which is the highest railway arch bridge in the world. These trains have been specially designed to operate in the cold climatic conditions of the Kashmir Valley. These all projects are part of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project. USBRL project is 272 kilometres long, constructed worth around Rs 43,780 crore, includes 36 tunnels (spanning 119 km) and 943 bridges. The project establishes all-weather, seamless rail connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country, aiming to transform regional mobility and drive socio-economic integration. (ANI)
