Latest news with #N.BirenSingh
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
90 firearms, 728 ammunition, explosives seized from 5 districts of Manipur's Imphal Valley
Security forces on Saturday (July 26, 2025) seized at least 90 firearms and over 700 ammunition and explosives in multiple operations across five districts of Manipur, police said. A senior police officer said that several of the seized firearms were reportedly looted from police armouries after ethnic conflict erupted in the State in May 2023. Acting on a tip-off, coordinated operations were launched simultaneously at multiple sites in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur districts, a police statement said. During the operations by the joint teams, comprising the Manipur Police, Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Army and Assam Rifles, 90 weapons, including three from the AK series, one M16 rifle, five INSAS rifles, one INSAS LMG, four SLRs, 20 pistols, four carbines, seven .303 rifles and eight other rifles, were seized. "A total of 728 ammunition and explosives, including 21 grenades and six IEDs, besides 21 magazines and 24 wireless handsets, were also seized," it said. During a press briefing at the State police headquarters, Inspector-General of Police, Zone II, Kabib K., said, "Some of the seized firearms were reportedly looted from our police armouries." Miscreants had looted over 6,000 firearms from various police armouries after ethnic violence broke out in the State on May 3, 2023. More than 3,000 of the looted firearms have been recovered, including over 1,500 after President's rule was imposed in the State in February this year. Reaffirming its commitment to fostering a peaceful and secure Manipur, the police also urged the public to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies and security forces and promptly report any suspicious activity or provide information related to illegal firearms to the nearest police station or the Central Control Room. Senior police officers remain in close coordination with all security stakeholders to ensure that such operations continue in a sustained and focused manner, aimed at restoring normalcy, maintaining public order, and safeguarding the lives and property of all citizens, the statement added. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kukis in Manipur since May 2023. Manipur has been under the President's rule since February 13 this year after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned from his post and the Assembly was put under animated suspension.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Healing Manipur: on Manipur and President's Rule
The imposition of President's Rule, once a frequent and politically motivated tool of the Centre, has declined considerably since the 1990s. This welcome shift is a consequence of S.R. Bommai, the landmark judgment, the rising influence of regional parties in national politics, and public revulsion to its misuse. In recent years, its application has become rare, reserved for genuine constitutional breakdown or severe internal security challenges, such as in Manipur. On Friday, President's Rule was extended there by another six months, from August 13. But few would contest the extension, as the Centre is struggling to find a durable solution to the ethnic conflict. Following the resignation of N. Biren Singh and the fall of the BJP government, there has been a discernible but fragile calm. A crackdown on militant groups that had operated with impunity has reduced open violence, and some families displaced since May 2023 have begun to return home. However, these positive developments are overshadowed by the unbridged and deep-seated ethnic schism between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. The landscape of Manipur is still carved up by buffer zones, rigidly segregating communities. The political chasm is just as stark: Kuki-Zo groups are resolute in their demand for a separate administration, while hardline Meitei organisations persist with a narrative that brands fellow citizens as 'outsiders'. Administrative steps, particularly those that reiterate de-weaponisation and a defanging of militant groups acting for ethnic interests, must continue. They not only break the aura of impunity with which these groups function but will also encourage moderates to raise their voices for reconciliation. During Mr. Singh's tenure, prominent civil society activists seeking to halt the conflict by critiquing the biased nature of governance were hounded. But the administrative measures to improve the rule of law must be supplemented by political gestures. The BJP enjoyed support in the valley and the hills when it was elected, but has been unable to bridge the ethnic hostility. This is largely because the party's national leadership has shown little inclination to treat the issue urgently, leaving it to civil servants and security forces to tackle the problem. While the continuation of President's Rule might seem inevitable in Manipur, its success should not be measured by the absence of violence alone. The Centre's responsibility is to foster political conditions to bridge the ethnic divide, but that responsibility must be shared. Political parties and civil society groups must defy the hardliners and begin the painstaking work of reconciliation. The future of a peaceful Manipur will be written by the initiative of committed political actors willing to transcend ethnic divisions and work toward the genuine healing of their fractured society.
Mint
5 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
President Rule extended in Manipur by another 6 months
President's Rule in Manipur has been extended by another six months, following a resolution introduced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha. The extension will come into effect from August 13, 2025. According to the official notice, it stated, 'That this House approves the continuance in force of the Proclamation dated the February 13, 2025 in respect of Manipur, issued under article 356 of the Constitution by the President, for a further period of six months with effect from August 13, 2025.' President's Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13, shortly after former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned, largely due to mounting political pressure from fellow BJP MLAs belonging to the Meitei community who opposed his leadership. The current move to extend President's Rule comes amid ongoing efforts by Meitei and Naga MLAs from the ruling NDA to push for the reinstatement of an elected government in the state. Under Article 356(3) of the Constitution, President's Rule is implemented through the Governor's office, typically lasts for six months and can be renewed every six months with Parliament's approval, for a maximum duration of three years. Meanwhile, the ethnic conflict that broke out on May 3, 2023, between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities has led to over 250 deaths and forced more than 60,000 people to flee their homes. In a separate incident, security forces arrested eight militants belonging to different proscribed outfits from Imphal West, Bishnupur, Tengnoupal and Chandel districts on Thursday. The police said that security forces have been conducting search operations and area domination exercises in the fringe and vulnerable areas across districts since the ethnic violence broke out two years ago. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation. That this House approves the continuance in force of the Proclamation dated the February 13, 2025 in respect of Manipur. Officials said that in 2022 and 2023, ex-CM Biren Singh had carried out massive eviction drives against encroachments on reserve forest areas and government lands in both hill and valley districts. The drive triggered widespread organised agitation by members of the Kuki and Zo communities.
Mint
5 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
President Rule to be extended in Manipur by another 6 months, Amit Shah to table resolution Rajya Sabha today
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to present a resolution in the Rajya Sabha on Friday seeking a six-month extension of President's Rule in Manipur. The extension will come into effect from August 13, 2025. According to the official notice, it stated, 'That this House approves the continuance in force of the Proclamation dated the February 13, 2025 in respect of Manipur, issued under article 356 of the Constitution by the President, for a further period of six months with effect from August 13, 2025.' President's Rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13, shortly after former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned, largely due to mounting political pressure from fellow BJP MLAs belonging to the Meitei community who opposed his leadership. The current move to extend President's Rule comes amid ongoing efforts by Meitei and Naga MLAs from the ruling NDA to push for the reinstatement of an elected government in the state. Under Article 356(3) of the Constitution, President's Rule is implemented through the Governor's office, typically lasts for six months and can be renewed every six months with Parliament's approval, for a maximum duration of three years. Meanwhile, the ethnic conflict that broke out on May 3, 2023, between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities has led to over 250 deaths and forced more than 60,000 people to flee their homes. In a separate incident, security forces arrested eight militants belonging to different proscribed outfits from Imphal West, Bishnupur, Tengnoupal and Chandel districts on Thursday. The police said that security forces have been conducting search operations and area domination exercises in the fringe and vulnerable areas across districts since the ethnic violence broke out two years ago. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation. That this House approves the continuance in force of the Proclamation dated the February 13, 2025 in respect of Manipur. Officials said that in 2022 and 2023, ex-CM Biren Singh had carried out massive eviction drives against encroachments on reserve forest areas and government lands in both hill and valley districts. The drive triggered widespread organised agitation by members of the Kuki and Zo communities. (With inputs from agencies)
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Three militants among six held in Manipur
Security forces have arrested three militants belonging to two banned organisations from Manipur's Imphal East and Kakching districts, police said in a statement on Monday (July 21, 2025). Three others were also apprehended from the Imphal West district for allegedly being involved in the trading of ammunition, it said. A self-styled sergeant major of the banned Prepak was arrested from his residence at Kontha Ahallup in Imphal East district on Saturday (July 19, 2025), the police said, adding that he had received basic military training at Tanal in Myanmar and had recruited a cadre in October last year for the outfit. Two active members of the proscribed UPPK were apprehended from a market in Kakching on Sunday (July 20, 2025) for allegedly being involved in extortion activities in the district and adjoining areas, the police statement said. Security forces also arrested three persons from Thangmeib and Khuyathong Polem Leikai areas in Imphal West district on Sunday (July 20, 2025) for their alleged involvement in illegal sales of ammunition, it said. More than 100 ammunition items were recovered from their possession, the police said. Security forces have been conducting search operations in Manipur since ethnic violence broke out two years ago. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. The Centre had on February 13 imposed the President's rule in Manipur after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.
