Latest news with #Kuki-Zo-Hmar
Scroll.in
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Parliament extends President's Rule in Manipur by six months
The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed a statutory resolution to extend the President's Rule in Manipur by six months. The resolution, passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday, was approved by the Upper House amid protests by Opposition MPs over the Election Commission conducting a special intensive revision of Bihar's electoral rolls. The resolution, moved by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, was approved through a voice vote. President's Rule was imposed in the state on February 13, four days after Bharatiya Janata Party leader N Biren Singh resigned as the chief minister. His resignation came amid ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities. At least 260 persons have been killed and more than 59,000 persons displaced since the violence broke out in May 2023. There were periodic upticks in violence in 2024. Singh resigned as chief minister amid allegations from Kuki-Zomi-Hmar groups that his response to the violence was partisan and that he had stoked majoritarianism. The BJP leader stepped down a day before his government was to face a no-confidence motion and floor test in the Assembly. The Opposition Congress had described Singh's resignation as belated and akin to 'shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted '. The last time President's Rule was imposed in Manipur was between June 2, 2001, and March 5, 2002, for 276 days due to political instability. President's Rule under Article 356 transfers the powers and responsibilities of the state government to the Union government and the functions of the state Legislature to Parliament for the duration of its enforcement. The only exception is the operation of High Courts, which are unaffected.
Deccan Herald
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
NIA arrests Hmar men in Jiribam killing case, Kuki-Meitei groups react
The arrest triggered objections by several Kuki-Zo-Hmar organisations in Manipur who described the arrest as 'arbitrary' and 'selective action.' A Meitei organisation, however, contrasted the claims.
Scroll.in
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Manipur relaxes prohibitory orders in valley districts, Arambai Tenggol calls off shutdown
The Manipur government on Tuesday lifted prohibitory orders in Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts between 5 am and 5 pm, NDTV reported. The separate orders issued by the district magistrates permitted movement of persons outside their homes in daytime provided no activity was carried out to 'disrupt the prevailing law and order' in the area. The orders continued to disallow gatherings of five or more persons and banned the carrying of sticks, stone, firearms and explosive materials in public places. A curfew was imposed on Saturday night in Bishnupur district, and orders prohibiting five or more persons from gathering were implemented in Kakching, Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West after a member of armed Meitei group Arambai Tenggol was arrested in Imphal West. Internet services had also been suspended in the five districts located in the state's Meitei-dominated valley region. Arambai Tenggol calls off shutdown The Arambai Tenggol on Tuesday withdrew the 10-day Manipur shutdown it had called to protest the arrest of its leader Asem Kanan Singh, The Hindu reported. The group decided to suspend the shutdown to 'lessen the inconvenience faced by the people across the valley', The Hindu quoted the group's Spokesperson Robin Mangang as saying. A team of the National Investigation Agency and the Manipur Police had on Saturday evening arrested Singh, said to be the 'army chief' of the Arambai Tenggol, in Imphal West. Hundreds of residents took to the streets in Imphal West's Kwakithel area to try to stop the police convoy and snatch him from custody. The police opened fire to force the mob to disperse. On Sunday, the Central Bureau of Investigation arrested him for his alleged involvement in criminal activities related to the 2023 Manipur violence, The Hindu reported. Protesters also burned tyres and blocked roads in parts of the state capital, including the Tiddim road and Uripok areas in Imphal West district, demanding that Singh be immediately released. On Tuesday, Mangang added that the group will continue with democratic forms of agitation until their leader is released unconditionally. The police on Monday said that Singh was a head constable when he was terminated from service in March for his alleged involvement in criminal activities including cross-border smuggling of arms. Manipur has been mired in ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities that have killed at least 260 persons and displaced more than 59,000 persons since May 2023. There were periodic upticks in violence in 2024.
Scroll.in
30-05-2025
- Politics
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Manipur: No order issued to mask ‘state transport' sign on bus, says chief secretary
The Manipur government had not issued any instructions to cover the words 'Manipur State Transport' on a state-run bus on May 20, Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh said on Thursday. Singh said that the incident was 'deeply regretted' and that the state administration had taken it with utmost seriousness. 'The State will also ensure that such an incident does not occur in future,' the official. The chief secretary said that what transpired on the ground that day will become clear only after a thorough inquiry. He added that Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had formed an inquiry committee consisting of the home department commissioner and the information technology secretary which will present its findings on the matter in a time-bound manner. On May 20, central security forces allegedly stopped a group of 20 journalists in Imphal East district and directed them to hide the 'Manipur State Transport' sign on the government bus they were travelling in. The incident occurred at the Gwaltabi checkpoint in Imphal East while the group was travelling to cover the Shirui Lily Festival, a cultural event organised by the state tourism department, in the Naga-majority Ukhrul district. The route to the district passes through several Kuki villages. The team initially tried to comply with the direction. However, delays due to negotiations with the security forces forced them to cancel the trip and return to Imphal. A video of the 'Manipur State Transport' sign being covered was circulated widely on social media. On May 27, the student wing of Meitei civil society group Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity locked the offices of the chief electoral officer and the Geological Survey of India in Imphal West to protest the incident. Manipur has been mired in ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities that have killed at least 260 persons and displaced more than 59,000 persons since May 2023. There were periodic upticks in violence in 2024.
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28-05-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Manipur: Meitei protesters lock Union government offices in Imphal
The student wing of Meitei civil society group Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity on Tuesday intensified its protest against the Manipur administration by locking two Union government offices in Imphal, reported The Telegraph. This came in response to the May 20 incident when the words 'Manipur State Transport' were covered on a state-run bus. Protesters locked the offices of the chief electoral officer and the Geological Survey of India in Imphal West and demanded an apology from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. They alsonheld placards that said 'Apology to Manipur or Leave Manipur' and 'President's Rule must stop insulting Manipur's identity'. This was part of the group's broader campaign against Union government bodies. Tuesday marked the third consecutive day of protests. On May 20, central security forces allegedly stopped a group of 20 journalists in Imphal East district and directed them to hide the 'Manipur State Transport' sign on the government bus they were travelling in. The incident occurred at the Gwaltabi checkpoint in Imphal East while the group was travelling to cover the Shirui Lily Festival, a cultural event organised by the state tourism department, in the Naga-majority Ukhrul district. The route to the district passes through several Kuki villages. The team initially tried to comply with the direction. However, delays due to negotiations with the security forces forced them to cancel the trip and return to Imphal. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity had said at the time that the actions of the security personnel seemed like a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority and legitimacy of the Manipur government within its territory. After the incident, public outrage further intensified in the state following reports that the governor was flown by an Army helicopter from the Imphal airport to Kangla Fort – which is only 300 metres from the Raj Bhavan – in order to bypass road blockades by protesters on Monday, The Telegraph reported. Manipur has been mired in ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities that have killed at least 260 persons and displaced more than 59,000 persons since May 2023. There were periodic upticks in violence in 2024. President's Rule was imposed in February this year after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. Bhalla has been administering Manipur since then.
