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NDTV
14-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Kuki Group Issues Threat While Manipur Top Cop Oversees Security For Shirui Lily Festival In Ukhrul
Quick Reads Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. A Kuki group has warned the Meitei community against passing through their villages during the Shirui Lily Festival in Ukhrul, Manipur, from May 20-24. The warning came while the Manipur DGP was in Ukhrul overseeing security arrangements. Imphal/Guwahati: A Kuki group has warned members of the Meitei community against passing by their villages while going to a district in northern Manipur where the state-level Shirui Lily Festival 2025 is scheduled to be held from May 20 to 24. The festival, being promoted by the state government, celebrates the rare, endangered state flower Shirui Lily that grows in the hills of Ukhrul district, the home of Tangkhul Naga tribe and other Naga communities. The group 'Kuki Zo Village Volunteer - Eastern Zone' in a statement gave their best wishes for the festival, and offered support to the Naga tribes; however, it said it will not allow Meiteis to pass through Kuki villages that are located on the way to Ukhrul district. The Kuki group in its statement on May 11 warning members of the Meitei community said, "We strongly advise all members of the Meitei community to refrain from entering or crossing our areas at any time. Any violation of this direction will be considered intentional, and individuals shall bear full responsibility for any consequences that may follow." The warning came while Manipur Director General of Police Rajiv Singh went to Ukhrul for two days to oversee security arrangements ahead of the Shirui Lily Festival. The Director General of Police, Manipur, made a two-day visit to Ukhrul District to oversee the general law and order situation and also assess and review security preparedness for the upcoming Shirui Festival, scheduled to take place from May 20 to 24, 2025 at Ukhrul District.... — Manipur Police (@manipur_police) May 11, 2025 Manipur is under the President's rule. The group 'Kuki Zo Village Volunteer - Eastern Zone' does not share the same name as the 'Village Volunteers Eastern Zone', or VVEZ. While the VVEZ has not given a statement on the Shirui Lily Festival, earlier on March 8, the deadline set by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to surrender illegally held and looted weapons, the VVEZ published a video statement - seven of its masked members in camouflage and carrying AK series and other assault rifles - asserting they will not lay down arms until their demand for a separate administration was met. The Manipur State Transport has announced bus service timings from the state capital Imphal to Ukhrul from May 20 to 24 for those who want to visit the picturesque hill town popular with tourists. The Naga insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) or NSCN (IM), responding to the Kuki group's May 11 statement threatening members of the Meitei community who may visit Ukhrul for the Shirui Lily Festival, said it will "not tolerate if KZVV-EZ make any wild attempt to disturb the streaming tourists targeting any particular community travelling to Ukhrul/Shirui village." The NSCN (IM) said the festival also serves as a platform for raising awareness about environmental conservation and cultural heritage of the Tangkhul Naga and other Naga communities. The NSCN (IM) signed a framework agreement with the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 to work towards bringing peace in Nagaland. Tangkhul Naga social worker Asang Kashar condemned the warning by the Kuki group. "This is directly a challenge to every citizen of Manipur and shows they (Kukis) are against peace," Mr Kashar said. The Naga and the Kuki tribes have fought in the 90s; hundreds including women and children were killed. The Kuki tribes and the Meiteis have been fighting since May 2023 over a range of issues such as land rights and political representation. Over 260 have died and nearly 50,000 have been internally displaced.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kuki group warns Meiteis not to enter their areas during upcoming festival
IMPHAL: A group in Manipur has warned Meiteis not to enter the Kuki-majority areas during a five-day festival to be held in Ukhrul district next week. Ethnic clashes between the two warring sides in the northeastern state have left at least 260 people dead and thousands homeless since May 2023. "We strongly advise all members of the Meitei community to refrain from entering or crossing our areas at any time. Any violation of this direction will be considered intentional, and individuals shall bear full responsibility for any consequences that may follow," the Kuki Zo Village Volunteer Eastern Zone said in a statement. People from various parts of the state visit Ukhrul during the Shirui festival, to be held between May 20 and 24. The route from Imphal, where Meiteis are in the majority, to Ukhrul passes through certain villages where Kukis are the dominant force. In Ukhrul district, however, the Naga tribal people are in majority. Manipur DGP Rajiv Singh recently visited Ukhrul district to review the preparations for the annual festival held to honour the state flower of Shirui Lily, found in abundance in the hills of Ukhrul district. Popular Tangkhul Naga social worker Asang Kashar condemned the warning. "This is directly a challenge to every citizen of Manipur and shows they (Kukis) are against peace," Kashar said.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Thar driver crushes man for objecting to honking in Delhi
A 36-year-old security guard on his way home from night duty was allegedly run over by a man in a Thar SUV near Mahipalpur flyover early on Sunday allegedly after he objected to the driver's incessant honking. The guard, Rajiv Kumar Singh, suffered fractures in both legs and remains hospitalised. The accused, identified as 24-year-old Vijay Kumar, was arrested later that day, police said. Deputy commissioner of police (southwest) Surendra Chaudhary said Vijay Kumar, a resident of Rangpuri, was out driving with his friends in a Mahindra Thar when the incident occurred. The victim, Rajiv Singh, hails from Bihar and lives in Mahipalpur with his younger brother. According to the first information report, Rajiv Singh, who works with a private company and is posted as a security guard at Terminal-3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, had just finished his night shift. He took a cab to Mahipalpur and was crossing the road near the traffic signal at the flyover when the SUV driver began honking. 'I told him I am crossing the road but he got angry and asked for my stick. I told him I won't give him my stick and he threatened me that he'll run me over,' Rajiv Singh told HT over the phone. As he stepped aside, Vijay Kumar allegedly rammed into him with the SUV. 'I screamed. He reversed his car and ran his car over me, crushing both my legs,' Rajiv added. Despite his injuries, Rajiv Singh managed to call the police, who reached the scene and rushed him to Indira Gandhi Hospital. He was later shifted to ESI Hospital in Basai Darapur, where he is undergoing treatment. On Monday, CCTV footage of the incident surfaced showing the Thar SUV striking Rajiv Singh and fleeing the scene. The video corroborated Rajiv Singh's account of the events. 'I am worried about my job and my family's future,' he said. 'Doctors have told me that it'll take me five to six months to start walking again.' Rajiv Singh's wife and 15-month-old son live with his parents in their village in Bihar. Police said a case has been registered under sections 281 (rash driving) and 109(1) (attempt to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. With the help of technical and human surveillance, investigators traced and arrested Vijay Kumar later that day. 'Suspect Vijay Kumar is unemployed. His father has properties and he lives off his father's money,' said a police officer familiar with the investigation.
