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The Hindu
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ban on movement of Kukis in Naga areas suspended
A Manipur group has suspended its ban on the movement of the Kuki people within the territories of four Naga communities. The Committee on Protection of Indigenous People's Ancestral Land (COPIPAL) said that the ban, which was to have taken effect on June 2, was withdrawn 'for some time' in the 'interest of maintaining peace' in the State. The COPIPAL, formed during a people's consultative meeting convened by the Joint Tribes Council on April 14 in the Kangpokpi district's Konsaram village, had announced a 'complete restriction on the movement of Kukis' within the territories of the Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei, and Zeme Naga communities. Konsaram is one of the oldest Naga villages in Manipur. According to the committee, the Kukis attacked the Liangmai Naga inhabitants of the village in an 'unprovoked and orchestrated act of aggression' on April 5, severely 'undermining the peace and dignity' of the indigenous Naga people. The COPIPAL described the attack as a threat to the safety, rights, and cultural identity of the Naga communities. Reacting to the COPIPAL decision on May 28, the Regional Naga Council of Manipur directed the Naga leaders and frontal organisations concerned to uphold the declaration of ban within their respective jurisdictions. However, the apex United Naga Council and the Joint Tribes Council later sought relaxation of the ban to facilitate people in the conflict-scarred State. The Nagas have been largely neutral in the conflict between the tribal Kuki-Zo and the non-tribal Meitei communities that broke out on May 3, 2025, claiming more than 250 human lives and displacing some 60,000 others. Manipur has been under the President's Rule since February 13, days after N. Biren Singh resigned as the Chief Minister.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
In Manipur, push for a return to popular government is understandable
Since the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur on February 13, the state assembly has remained in suspended animation, following the BJP's failure to reach a consensus on a successor to former chief minister N Biren Singh. As the assembly has not been dissolved, it retains the possibility of being revived when the prevailing conditions allow for the formation of a government. Reflecting growing discontent with the present standstill, a group of 10 NDA MLAs met Governor Ajay Bhalla at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday, urging the formation of a 'popular government' in the state. They claimed the support of 44 legislators in the 60-member Assembly (one seat currently lies vacant). However, the revocation of President's Rule appears unlikely in the near future — almost 25 months into the ethnic conflict, it is telling that peace remains the immediate priority, not government formation. On April 29, the same 10 MLAs, along with 11 other NDA legislators, had written to the Centre with a similar demand. Their push for a return to a popular government is understandable — after all, the BJP won a mandate in the 2022 Assembly election. The difficulty, however, lies in the nature of the proposed arrangement, which does not include representation for the Kuki-Zo communities. By their own admission, those who claim the support of 44 MLAs have not included the 10 Kuki-Zomi MLAs — seven of whom were elected on BJP tickets. The supposed consensus behind the push for a return of popular government, thus, reflects a consensus among the Meiteis, but not between the Meiteis and Kukis. The Centre's hesitation to revoke President's Rule acknowledges the persisting instability in the state — illustrated by the unrest in Imphal less than two weeks ago between protesters and security forces, over the alleged instructions to cover the word 'Manipur' on a state-run transport bus (Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh has expressed regret and announced an inquiry into the incident). While there is some consolation in the fact that there has been no violent standoff between the two communities in recent weeks, significant challenges remain — of rebuilding trust, addressing grievances, and tackling the structural issues that lie at the heart of the conflict. An estimated 3,000 looted weapons remain un-recovered. Thousands of displaced persons remain in relief camps. Kukis and Meiteis continue to be segregated between hill and valley. Only an inclusive political process that brings all stakeholders to the table can offer a path to lasting peace. Without such a process, even a well-intentioned return to a popular government risks another cycle of violence.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
44 MLAs ready to form new government in Manipur, BJP MLA after meeting Governor
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Thounaojam Radheshyam on Wednesday said that 44 MLAs, excluding the five from the Congress party, are prepared to form a new government in Manipur. Speaking to media persons outside the Raj Bhavan in Imphal, Radheshyam said that 10 MLAs had met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to formally inform him of the support for a new government. 'We 44 MLAs are ready to form a new government, people have been suffering from two years due to Covid and another two years due to ongoing crisis. Formation of new government is in the hand of Centre but we are ready', he said after the meeting with governor. The Manipur Legislative Assembly has a total of 60 seats, including five held by the Congress. Among the remaining 50 lawmakers, ten MLAs from the Kuki-Zo community, including seven from the BJP, have been demanding a separate administration in the form of a Union Territory (UT). Also Read: Imphal Valley turns fortress amid sudden leadership crisis in Manipur N Biren Singh stepped down as the chief minister of Manipur on February 9, nearly two years after ethnic violence broke out in the state. Former CM Singh also met Governor Bhalla at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday evening. The ethnic violence in the state has since May 2023 claimed at least 260 lives and displaced around 60,000. It has forced Meiteis and Kukis to withdraw to their strongholds. The Meiteis, mostly Hindu, live largely in the plains of Imphal valley, and the Kukis, predominantly Christian, in the hills. Fortified buffer zones separate the Meitei and Kuki-Zo areas. Out of the 60 assembly seats, BJP has the majority with 32; followed by the National People's Party (NPP) with 7 seats, Janata Dal (United) (JDU) with 6 seats, Congress and Naga People's Front with 5 seats each, two for Kuki People's Alliance and three Independents. N Kayisii, the sitting NPP MLA from Manipur's Tadubi constituency, died in January this year, leaving the seat vacant as of now.
News18
6 days ago
- Politics
- News18
44 MLAs Ready To Form New Government In Manipur, Claims BJP Leader After Meeting Governor
Last Updated: The Governor acknowledged their submission and assured that actions would be initiated in the best interests of the people, Thokchom Radheshyam Singh said. Manipur BJP legislator Thokchom Radheshyam Singh announced that 44 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are prepared to form a new government in the state. Thokchom Radheshyam Singh, accompanied by nine other MLAs, conveyed this readiness to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla during a meeting at Raj Bhavan, he said. 'Forty-four MLAs are ready to form a government as per the wishes of the people. We have conveyed this to the governor, and we also discussed potential solutions for the ongoing issues," he said, adding that the Governor acknowledged their submission and assured that actions would be initiated in the best interests of the people. Final Decision To Be Taken By BJP's Central Leadership, Manipur MLA Says While Thokchom Radheshyam Singh confirmed their readiness to form a government, he indicated that the final decision regarding staking a formal claim rests with the BJP's central leadership. He clarified, 'However, to inform that we are ready is similar to staking a claim to form a government", emphasizing that Speaker Th Satyabrata has individually and jointly met with the 44 MLAs, and there is no opposition to forming a new government. Manipur Under President's Rule Manipur has been under President's Rule since February, following the resignation of BJP leader N. Biren Singh as chief minister. His resignation came amidst widespread criticism over his government's handling of the ethnic clashes between Meiteis and Kuki-Zos, which erupted in May 2023. The current strength of the 60-member assembly stands at 59 MLAs, with one seat vacant due to the demise of a legislator. The coalition claiming readiness to form a government comprises 32 Meitei MLAs, three Manipuri Muslim MLAs, and nine Naga legislators, totaling 44. In contrast, the Congress holds five MLAs, all Meiteis. The remaining 10 MLAs are Kukis, with seven having won on a BJP ticket, two from the Kuki Peoples' Alliance, and one independent. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 28, 2025, 14:56 IST
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Manipur government formation: 44 MLAs ready to stake claim, says BJP leader after meeting governor
NEW DELHI: BJP legislator Thokchom Radheshyam Singh on Wednesday claimed that 44 MLAs in Manipur are prepared to form a new government, following a meeting with Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan. Singh, accompanied by nine other MLAs, said the group had conveyed to the governor their readiness to form a government in line with public sentiment, news agency PTI reported. "We informed the governor that 44 MLAs are ready. We also discussed possible solutions to the ongoing issues in the state," he said. "Letting the governor know that we're ready is akin to staking a claim. The central BJP leadership will take the final call. Speaker Th Satyabrata has met all 44 MLAs individually and collectively. There is no opposition to forming a new government," he said. — ANI (@ANI) Manipur has been under President's Rule since February after chief minister N Biren Singh stepped down amid criticism over the handling of ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo communities. The conflict, which erupted in May 2023, has led to over 250 deaths and displaced thousands. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Of the 60 seats in the Manipur Assembly, one is currently vacant. The BJP-led coalition includes 32 Meitei MLAs, three Manipuri Muslim MLAs, and nine Naga legislators—totaling 44. The Congress holds five Meitei seats. The remaining 10 legislators are Kukis, including seven BJP rebels, two from the Kuki People's Alliance, and one Independent. The political developments come amid renewed unrest in the Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley following an incident in Gwaltabi on May 20, where security personnel allegedly concealed the state's name on a government bus windshield. Meitei groups have demanded an apology from the governor and the resignation of the chief secretary, DGP, and security advisor. Tensions have persisted since May 2023, with Meitei groups insisting on preserving Manipur's territorial integrity, while Kuki-Zo representatives push for a separate administration in the hill districts.
