Latest news with #CoTU
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Life hit in Manipur district as tribal outfit enforces shutdown over woman's death in crossfire
Representative Image IMPHAL: An indefinite shutdown was observed Friday in Manipur's Churachandpur and a 24-hour closure in Kangpokpi over the death of a tribal woman in crossfire the previous day between security forces and unidentified gunmen. Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) called the shutdowns, supported by civil society organisations in both districts. Deceased Hoikholhing Haokip was the wife of a village chief in Churachandpur, Manipur's tribal heartland. Forces launched an operation after a farmer, Ningthoujam Biren Singh, suffered a bullet injury in his arm in alleged shooting by unidentified gunmen while working in his paddy field on Thursday. The gunmen later opened fire on the forces, prompting a retaliation and the crossfire. Haokip was later found dead with a bullet wound. A hunt is on for the gunmen. CoTU described the attacks and death as "another targeted assault in a systematic campaign" and held state govt responsible for allowing such atrocities to unfold under its watch. Manipur has been under President's rule since this Feb. CoTU alleged that Meitei aggressors were being allowed to act unchecked and that failure to protect vulnerable populations had once again led to loss of life. CoTU also demanded immediate action against those responsible for the killing. Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights also condemned the killing of Haokip, calling it a horrific act of violence.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
CoTU enforces indefinite shutdown in Churachandpur
1 2 Imphal: An indefinite shutdown has begun in Churachandpur district while the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) has called for a 24-hour shutdown in Kangpokpi district from 1pm on Friday, following the killing of Hoikholhing Haokip, wife of the village chief of Langchingmanbi. The shutdown has affected normal lives in both the districts. The decision to impose the shutdown was endorsed by CoTU, supported by civil society organisations (CSOs) of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts. According to a media note issued by police, an operation was launched after Ningthoujam Biren Singh, a farmer from Phubala Awang Maning Leikai, suffered a bullet injury in his left arm allegedly fired upon by unidentified armed miscreants while working in his paddy field on Thursday. During the operation, armed miscreants opened fire on the security forces who retaliated. Amid the crossfire, Kuki woman Haokip was found dead with a bullet injury. Security personnel identified her as the wife of the village chief of Langchingmanbi. Authorities transported her body to the district hospital in Churachandpur for legal formalities. Police said cases have been registered and investigations are underway while combined security forces are continuing search operations to track down those involved. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Meanwhile, CoTU has also termed the incident as 'another targeted assault in what has now become a systematic campaign' and blamed the state govt as directly responsible for allowing such atrocities to unfold under its watch. CoTU alleged that Meitei aggressors were being allowed to act unchecked and that failure to protect vulnerable populations had once again led to loss of life. CoTU put forward three demands — immediate action against those responsible for the killing, concrete steps from the central govt to safeguard tribal lives and territories and an independent investigation into repeated violations of buffer zone arrangements. Calling upon all communities, institutions, organisations and individuals, CoTU has urged strict observance of the shutdown. The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights has also strongly condemned the killing of Haokip, calling it a horrific act of violence. Meanwhile, the inspector general of police and other top officials conducted an inspection at the site of the recent Phubala firing incident, where suspected Kuki armed miscreants allegedly opened fire on farmers ploughing in the low canal areas, injuring a farmer. In response to the incident, the Apunba Meira Paibi of Phubala, along with various civil society organisations, held a joint meeting. Although no official statement has been released about the meeting, no reports of a shutdown have emerged so far — despite an earlier announcement by a Meira Paibi leader calling for a shutdown. The leader had demanded that the chief secretary, security advisor, and the governor of Manipur visit the affected site and ensure justice for the farmers.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Sambit Patra skips meeting with 21 Manipur MLAs, returns to Delhi
IMPHAL: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra departed for the national capital on Tuesday after ending his two-day visit to Manipur without meeting the 21 MLAs who had signed a letter seeking the formation of a popular government in the troubled northeastern state. BJP Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra. (File Photo) During his two-day visit to the state, Patra met several key figures including former chief minister N. Biren Singh, Speaker Th. Satyabrata, and Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. Patra's visit to Manipur was aimed at holding crucial meetings with BJP legislators amid the ongoing political uncertainty in Manipur. President's Rule was imposed in the state on February 13 on the fourth day after N Biren Singh resigned as chief minister. On the second day of his visit, Patra held a closed-door meeting with MLA Nemcha Kipgen at her residence in Kangpokpi. Kipgen is among the signatories demanding a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory. Later, Patra also met representatives of the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) and the Kuki Women's Union. During the meeting, CoTU submitted a memorandum highlighting urgent concerns of the Kuki-Zo communities. The memorandum reiterated the demand for a 'separate administration' and called for protection of tribal areas through the implementation of constitutional safeguards under Article 371C, and the Fifth and Sixth Schedules of the Constitution. It also called for recognition of tribal land rights. Additional demands included the imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act across Manipur, a second round of talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs to be held separately with the Kuki-Zomi Council and the Meitei community, and restrictions on free movement at the current juncture. The memorandum stated that if civil society organisations representing the Meitei are mandated, the Kuki groups would be willing to sign a cessation of hostilities and initiate dialogue. After concluding his engagements in Kangpokpi, Patra returned to Imphal and then departed for New Delhi on Tuesday.
