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Hans India
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Hans India
After a two-year break, 134th edition of Durand Cup tournament kicks off in Manipur
Imphal: The 134th edition of the Durand Cup, Asia's oldest football tournament, kicked off on Wednesday in Manipur after a two-year break due to the ethnic conflict in the northeastern state. The opening match of Group F was played between two football clubs from Manipur TRAU FC and NEROCA FC at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal. Football fans were excited to see the tournament return to their state, which has a rich legacy of various sports events. Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla attended the opening match and took part in the inauguration ceremony. The grand opening featured vibrant cultural performances and military displays, showcasing the spirit of unity and peace. A Defence spokesperson said that this iconic tournament's revival in Manipur highlights the healing power of sports and the collective aspiration for stability, resilience, and renewed harmony in the region. Army chief, Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Army's Eastern Command chief, Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari and senior other Army, para-military and security and civil officials along with other dignitaries witnessed the opening match of Durand Cup at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium. The Army Chief interacted with players and officials of the local favourites NEROCA FC and TRAU FC before the match. Meanwhile, many football lovers were unhappy because the stadium was too crowded and there were not enough seats for sports enthusiasts. Some people found it difficult to move around or watch the match comfortably. Despite the problems, people were happy and cheerful that such a big football tournament is being held again in Manipur. It is seen as a positive step toward bringing peace and normal life back to the state. A cheerful football lover, Sanday Wangkhemcha while talking to IANS thanked the Army and other organisers for conducting the Durand Cup football tournament in Manipur. 'Amid the ethnic crisis in Manipur, the football tournament would ease the mindset of the people of the state. It would also encourage the young generations to take football as their career. We expect more important football tournaments including Santosh Trophy, Indian Super League can be held in Manipur for the benefit of the sports lovers and common people as well,' Wangkhemcha said. Other Group F matches, including games with the Indian Army Football Team would also be played at the same stadium in the upcoming days. The Durand Cup tournament will be held from July 23 to August 23 across five cities in India – Imphal, Shillong, Kokrajhar, Kolkata and Jamshedpur. Six group stage matches would be played at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal, from July 30 to August 12. The Manipur Governor on July 10, addressed the trophy showcase ceremony of the Durand Cup 2025 held at City Convention Centre in Imphal. He commended the Indian Army's consistent role in promoting sports and national integration and highlighted Manipur's legacy as a powerhouse of sports and emphasised the importance of youth engagement through such tournaments. Bhalla, a former Union Home Secretary, expressed confidence that the Durand Cup would inspire a new generation of young athletes in the region. He had stated that hosting this tournament in Imphal once again is a testament to the state's deep passion for football and the collective efforts of both the civil and military establishments. The Indian Army has consistently been a pillar of strength in promoting sports and youth engagement, he had said. During the July 10 ceremony, the trophies – Durand Cup, President's Cup and Simla Trophy were showcased. The trophies, after touring different locations in Manipur, including Sendra, Moirang, Bishnupur, Manipur University, Kangla and Chingmeirong War Cemetery, reached the City Convention Centre on July 10, where the Governor, along with senior civil and military officers, received the trophies. After more than two years of ethnic hostilities between non-tribal Meitei and tribal Kuki-Zo communities President's Rule was promulgated in Manipur on February 13, four days after the resignation of N Biren Singh from the Chief Minister's post.


United News of India
14 hours ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Army Chief meets Manipur Governor, discusses security
Imphal, July 30 (UNI) General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), today called on the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal. He was accompanied by the Army Commander of Eastern Command, the General Officer Commanding 3 Corps, and other senior Army officials. During the meeting, Governor Bhalla extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Army leadership for the successful execution of Operation Sindoor, lauding the Indian Army's professionalism, unwavering commitment, and sustained efforts in maintaining peace and stability in the region. The discussions also touched upon the commencement of the 134th edition of the Durand Cup, one of Asia's oldest and most prestigious football tournaments, which begins today. General Dwivedi expressed his appreciation to the Governor and the Government of Manipur for their consistent support and facilitation in organising the high-profile sporting event. The interaction underscored the strong civil-military cooperation in the region and reaffirmed the Army's role not just in national security but also in promoting sporting and cultural engagement. UNI NS RKM


The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Plea to shift Myanmar Kuki detainees from Imphal jail
The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights (KOHUR) has petitioned Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), seeking the transfer of 64 Myanmar nationals of Kuki ethnicity from the Imphal Central Jail to 'temporary prisons' in the Kuki-dominated districts of the State. In a separate memoranda addressed to Mr. Bhalla and NHRC Chairperson, Justice V. Ramasubramanian, on July 25, the rights organisation raised serious constitutional and humanitarian concerns over the continued detention of the Myanmar nationals. It highlighted the case of two of them, who have remained in jail despite completing their sentences. The KOHUR said the detention of the Myanmar nationals was a 'grave violation' of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, and a breach of international human rights conventions to which India is a signatory. The organisation referred to earlier gubernatorial notifications that permitted the relocation of Indian Kuki under-trial prisoners from Imphal and other sensitive zones to temporary prisons in the Kuki-dominated districts, such as Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Tengnoupal. The KOHUR statement, signed by its chairman, H.S. Benjamin Mate, pointed out that the Myanmar detainees share deep cultural, linguistic, and familial ties with the indigenous Kukis of Manipur. It said that denying these detainees relocation based on nationality 'constitutes discriminatory treatment' and the continued detention of individuals beyond their sentence was 'a clear instance of arbitrary incarceration and a miscarriage of justice'. Centres for civil service exams placed outside State Meanwhile, the Delhi and NCR unit of the Kuki Students' Organisation has objected to the decision of the Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC) to conduct its upcoming Mains examination in Assam's Guwahati instead of Churachandpur district in Manipur, 'widely considered a safe zone' for Kuki students. In a letter to the Manipur Governor, the students' body said the decision was unjust and burdensome, especially for aspirants from the Kuki community who have been displaced or affected by the protracted violence in the State. It underscored the disproportionate impact such logistical decisions have on conflict-affected communities. 'If this request is not heeded, Kuki students in Delhi and across India may perceive this as an act of suppressing the educational opportunities of a particular community,' the organisation stated.


India Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Peace and normalcy returning to Manipur: Governor at Kargil Vijay Diwas event
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday said peace and normalcy are steadily returning to the state, owing to the joint efforts of the state government, security forces, and civil society organisations. He was speaking at a state-level function held at the Palace Auditorium, MSFDS, Imphal, to mark Kargil Vijay detailed the recent security measures undertaken in the state, saying that several arms had been recovered, and many insurgents involved in extortion and cybercrimes arrested. 'The Manipur Police has launched an Anti-Extortion Cell and helpline in collaboration with CAPFs, Assam Rifles, and the Army,' he Governor added that multiple checkpoints had been set up across the hill and valley districts to ensure the smooth flow of essential supplies. Rehabilitation and livelihood initiatives for displaced persons are also being implemented, while dialogue with CSOs from Meitei, Kuki-Zo, and Naga communities is ongoing to support voluntary resettlement and inclusive Bhalla was leading the tributes during the Kargil Vijay Diwas function, which honoured the bravery of Indian soldiers, including seven from Manipur, who lost their lives during the 1999 Kargil War. He paid special tribute to BSF jawan Deepak Chingakham, saying, 'The state government has appointed his younger brother as an ASI in recognition of his supreme sacrifice.'Calling Kargil a symbol of unity and resilience, Bhalla said, 'The legacy of Kargil symbolises national unity, resilience, and sacrifice.' He also mentioned Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam attack, during which nine terror bases across the border were General of Police Rajiv Singh also addressed the gathering, saying that joint operations have led to the recovery of thousands of looted arms and large quantities of ammunition and explosives. He said fencing along the Myanmar border has started to curb illegal infiltration. 'Special task forces are functioning in all districts to identify and act against illegal immigrants,' he added that new police outposts had been set up in sensitive zones to ensure protection for farmers and uninterrupted supply event concluded with solemn tributes to India's armed forces, reaffirming the state's commitment to peace, security, and unity.- EndsMust Watch advertisementIN THIS STORY#Manipur

The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Top news of the day on July 26, 2025
India-U.K. free trade agreement 'game-changing', every section to benefit, says Piyush Goyal Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Saturday (July 26, 2025) termed the India-U.K. free trade agreement as 'game-changing' and said it will benefit every section in India including farmers, youth, MSME sector and Industry. India looks forward to boosting ties with Maldives, committed to support capacity building: PM Modi India looks forward to deepening its partnership with the Maldives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday (July 26, 2025), as he met prominent Maldivian leaders, including Vice-President Uz Hussain Mohamed. 17 MPs honoured with Sansad Ratna Awards for Parliamentary performance Seventeen Members of Parliament — including Supriya Sule (Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar), Ravi Kishan (Bharatiya Janata Party), Nishikant Dubey (BJP) and Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) — have been selected for the Sansad Ratna Awards 2025 for their exemplary performance in the Lok Sabha. Peace and normalcy returning to Manipur, says Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Saturday (July 26, 2025) asserted that peace and normalcy are returning to the state with the collaborative efforts of the government, armed forces and civil society organisations. Any of the 11 documents accepted for SIR verification are susceptible to falsification: petitioner counters EC in Supreme Court Petitioner-NGO Association for Democratic Rights on Saturday (July 26, 2025) countered the Election Commission of India's (EC) refusal to accept Aadhaar, Voter ID, and ration card as valid 'standalone' proof for inclusion in the electoral roll during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as 'patently absurd'. Bihar Military Police aspirant alleges gang-rape in ambulance en route to hospital in Bihar Facing humidity and heat, a Bihar Military Police (BMP)-3 aspirant fainted during the physical recruitment test on Thursday in Bodh Gaya and was allegedly gang-raped in an ambulance while being transported to a hospital. Gujarat Congress camp: Rahul Gandhi blames 'biased umpire' ECI for poll defeats; slams BJP-RSS 'control' Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday (July 26, 2025) assured the district unit chiefs of his party in Gujarat that their opinions will be taken into account while selecting poll candidates. Rain triggers a trail of destruction in Kerala The heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds that has been lashing parts of the State is likely to continue for a couple of more days, fuelled by the weather systems in the Bay of Bengal and the offshore trough formed along the west coast of the country Frequent disruptions in Parliament harm Opposition more than government: Kiren Rijiju Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday (July 26, 2025) said that frequent disruptions in the House hurt the Opposition more, as they lose the crucial opportunity to hold the government accountable. Tamil Nadu CM Stalin to be discharged on July 27 After undergoing an angiogram procedure, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will be discharged from the hospital on Sunday (July 27, 2025), sources told The Hindu. WI vs AUS third T20I: Tim David scores fastest T20 century for Australia in series-clinching win Tim David scored the fastest century for Australia in a Twenty20 international which lifted the tourists to a series-clinching six-wicket win over West Indies in the third game of a five-match series on Friday (July 25, 2025).