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United News of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
BJP legislators discuss ways to restore peace in Manipur
Imphal, May 31 (UNI) Twenty-three BJP MLAs have decided to call for peace following a meeting held at the residence of former Minister Th Biswajit on Friday night. The MLAs said in a joint statement that in light of the prevailing situation in Manipur, the legislators deliberated on the collective role in restoring peace, stability, and normalcy in the state. The MLAs noted the enormous suffering endured by the people of Manipur over the past two years. "As elected representatives, the BJP MLAs are united in the firm belief that a long-term solution to the crisis is both possible and necessary," said the joint statement. "Such a solution must rest on the pillars of political will, inclusive dialogue, constitutional safeguards, and impartial enforcement of law and order. It is our collective conviction that this journey must be undertaken in close cooperation between the Centre, the state, civil society, and community leaders" the statement added. During the deliberations, the MLAs examined ways for an inclusive dialogue involving representatives of all communities. They supported the establishment of a neutral dialogue platform to facilitate constructive mediation between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, aimed at building trust and consensus on critical issues. In regard to the Gwaltabi incident on May 20, it urged the government to have dialogue with the media persons and civil society organisations to develop amicable understanding. The meeting also considered the feasibility of formally approaching the governor and the Central leadership to appoint a neutral peace envoy or a panel of eminent persons, comprising voices from both within and outside Manipur. Such a body, operating with the full support of the Union government and state administration, would play a vital role in facilitating impartial mediation and bridging the trust deficit among communities. It emphasized the critical importance of inter-community dialogue at the grassroots level. "This will lay the foundation for healing, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence," the statement emphasised. It also called for a well-monitored effort to recover looted weapons. Acknowledging the deep public desire to see the formation of a popular government, it discussed pathways to achieve this with unity and selflessness. It resolved to put aside personal ambitions in the larger interest of the state, its people, and the vision of the BJP and its alliance partners in Manipur. It said the MLAs are committed to peace, justice, and the restoration of communal harmony in Manipur. The MLAs had earlier briefed Governor AK Bhalla about the need to restore a popular government in the state. UNI NS PRS
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Meitei protesters lock up CEO, GSI offices in Imphal
Photo/Agencies IMPHAL: Protesters locked up two central government offices in Imphal Tuesday amid an escalating standoff over forced concealment of the word "Manipur" on a government bus headed to a hill festival last week. The restive state has been under President's rule since February. Activists of COCOMI, an umbrella body of Meitei groups, stormed the chief electoral officer's office at Lamphelpat and asked the staff to leave before locking the main gate. They then shut down an office of the Geological Survey of India, located a few kilometres away, raising slogans like "apologise or leave Manipur" against governor AK Bhalla. The activists outnumbered security personnel. The protests began when a Manipur State Transport bus ferrying journalists to the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul district was allegedly stopped at the Gwaltabi checkpoint on May 20 and ordered to hide 'Manipur' on the windshield. COCOMI had on Monday adopted a resolution vowing to close central offices, sparing only essential services like healthcare, education, sports and banking. On Tuesday, some organisations organised a human chain demanding an apology from the governor. Similar protests were held in Bishnupur district. Various civil society organisations and student groups have declared support for the movement, viewing it as crucial for safeguarding Manipur's integrity and identity.
United News of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Visitors pouring in at Ukhrul for Manipur Shirui festival
Imphal, May 20 (UNI) Large numbers of people including Manipur Governor AK Bhalla have reached Ukhrul district headquarter to attend the Shirui festival scheduled to begin later on Tuesday. The 5th State-Level Shirui Lily Festival will be organised in various spots. The festival is named after the endangered Shirui flower which blooms in May and June in Ukhrul district. The opening ceremony will be held at Heritage ground, Shirui village, followed by Pork eating competition and a rock concert named Shirock at Bakshi ground. In another venue camping, zorbing, ziplining, trampoline, Burma bridge and other interesting events will be organised. Special security measures were also taken up along the Imphal Ukhrul road specially in the areas where some Kuki houses are present as Kuki Students Organisation, Delhi and other Kuki bodies have threatened to attack people belonging to another community. UNI NS ARN
NDTV
19-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Authenticity Of Photo Being Verified": Assam Rifles On "Militant Flag" Pic Row
Imphal: The Assam Rifles today said it is checking the authenticity of a photograph that purportedly showed a group of men in the force's uniform holding flags that social media users claimed belonged to an insurgent group in the northeast. It said disciplinary action will be taken if the photo is confirmed to be authentic. The Assam Rifles' official X handle also shared the photo with two red crosses on it, and with the text "being verified". "The authenticity of the photograph is being verified. Based on confirmation, suitable disciplinary action will be initiated against all the defaulters," the Assam Rifles said. "Assam Rifles remains committed to maintaining ethos of the force," it said. The Ministry of Home Affairs, the Indian Army's Eastern Command, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Manipur Governor AK Bhalla are among those who were tagged in the post by the Assam Rifles. The authenticity of the photograph is being verified. Based on confirmation suitable disciplinary action will be initiated against all the defaulters. Assam Rifles remains committed to maintaining ethos of the force. @HMOIndia @AmitShah @PIBHomeAffairs @Spearcorps @easterncomd... — The Assam Rifles (@official_dgar) May 19, 2025 Social media users alleged the flag in the purported photo belongs to the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), which is active in Manipur. AI-generated images and large disinformation content on Manipur have also been a huge problem, even leading to incidents on the ground. The ZRA comes under the umbrella body of eight insurgent groups represented by the United Peoples Front (UPF) for negotiations with the Centre. The UPF, and another umbrella body of 17 insurgent groups represented by the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), have signed the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement with the Centre and the state government. Broadly, the SoO agreement says the insurgents are to stay at designated camps and their weapons kept in locked storage, to be monitored regularly. However, they face allegations of violating the ground rules of the SoO agreement by participating in the Manipur ethnic violence between the Meitei community and the Kuki tribes. The United National Liberation Front (Pambei), or UNLF (P), which is the only Meitei insurgent group that signed a ceasefire, also faces allegations of taking part in the ethnic clashes in violation of the ceasefire. The Indian Army has operational control of the Assam Rifles, while the Ministry of Home Affairs has administrative control. The Assam Rifles guards the border with Myanmar and also conducts counter-insurgency operations, along with the Manipur Police.
