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The Hindu
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Union Home Secretary visits Kuki-Zo relief camps in Manipur, attends security review meeting with Governor
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan arrived in Manipur on Monday (June 2, 2025) where he visited relief camps in the hill district of Churachandpur and attended a security review meeting chaired by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla in Imphal. The visit comes in the wake of fresh protests and a 'civil disobedience' call by Meitei groups in the northeastern State over the incident in Gwaltabi on May 20, when security forces allegedly tried to cover the word 'Manipur' on a State transport bus that was ferrying journalists to the hill district of Ukhrul for the Shirui Lily festival. The protests were put on hold as Imphal and nearby areas were affected by severe floods. Mr. Mohan was accompanied by Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Kumar Deka, Director-General of Police Rajiv Singh, and Chief Secretary P.K. Singh as he visited two Kuki-Zo camps in Churachandpur. A Manipur government statement said that the 'high-level Central team' led by Mr. Mohan visited relief camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Churachandpur district. 'The delegation visited Sadbhavna Mandap Relief Centre, Tuibong and Dorcas Veng Relief Centre to assess the situation and extend support,' it said. The team interacted with displaced families, reviewed facilities, and inaugurated a creche, a tailoring programme for women and a children's library. 'Fifteen students who cleared the 2025 HSLC [Class 10] examination from both camps were felicitated with gifts and appreciation certificates,' the statement added. The Home Secretary is on a two-day visit to the State. The visit assumes significance as 23 BJP legislators met in Imphal on May 30 agreeing to set aside 'personal ambitions' and press for the formation of a 'popular government' acknowledging the desire of the people. Manipur was placed under President's Rule on February 13. Around 60,000 people displaced from their homes in the hill and valley districts of Manipur have been living in relief camps since May 2023. Around 250 people have been killed in the ethnic violence between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei people that erupted in the State on May 3, 2023.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
The Hindu Morning Digest: May 31, 2025
Amid protests, Union Home Secretary may visit Manipur next week Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan is likely to visit Manipur next week, on June 2 and June 3, in the wake of fresh protests and a 'civil disobedience' call by Meitei groups in the northeastern State over the May 20, 2025 incident in Gwaltabi. On that day, security forces allegedly tried to cover the word 'Manipur' on a State transport bus that was ferrying journalists to the hill district of Ukhrul for the Shirui Lily festival. Operation Sindoor showed to world India's indigenous defence capabilities, says Modi Paying tribute to Shubham Dwivedi, a Kanpur native who was killed in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, 'All of us deeply felt the pain, suffering, anger and collective anguish over the barbaric terror attack. This collective unity led to Operation Sindoor, where terrorist hideouts in Pakistan were destroyed, and the Pakistani military was forced to plead for an end to the conflict.' Trump gives Elon Musk Oval Office sendoff, crediting him with 'colossal change' President Donald Trump bid farewell to Elon Musk in the Oval Office on Friday (May 31, 2025), providing a cordial conclusion to a tumultuous tenure for the billionaire entrepreneur. Mr. Musk is leaving his position spearheading the Department of Government Efficiency, and he'll be rededicating himself to running his businesses, including electric automaker Tesla, rocket company SpaceX and social media platform X. 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French Open: Defending champion Alcaraz labors into fourth round Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz reached the fourth round of the French Open after labouring past Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the Friday (May 30, 2025) night session. The second-seeded Spaniard had never before played Dzumhur, a 33-year-old Bosnian who had never been past the third round at any major tournament. Additional instalment of tax devolution to be released to States on June 2: Finance Ministry The government on Friday (May 30, 2025) approved an additional instalment of ₹81,735 crore as tax devolution to States, which will be released on June 2. This release is in addition to the regular monthly instalment of tax devolution of ₹81,735 crore, which will be released on June 10, 2025. LCA fighter planes production will be increased for timely deliveries to IAF: HAL CMD Sunil Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman and Managing Director D. K. Sunil said that the production of the indigenous fighter aircraft Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A will be increased to ensure timely deliveries to the Indian Air Force (IAF) with the establishment of a fourth production line here in Hyderabad. India will never give in to nuclear blackmail: Jaishankar External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday (May 30, 2025) asserted that India will never give in to 'nuclear blackmail.' Speaking at a convocation ceremony of foreign students of Parul University in Vadodara, Mr. Jaishankar also said it was imperative that those who sponsor, nurture and utilize the 'service of terrorism' pay a high cost. Rising 'black carbon' heating Himalayan snow: Study Levels of black carbon — ultra-fine particles of carbon that come from vehicles, stoves and wood-fire — in the Himalayas have been rising for most of the past two decades, according to a study by the think-tank Climate Trends. This is contributing to warmer snow, increasing the risk of unseasonal flooding by glacier-fed rivers, it said. Pakistan announces to upgrade ties with Afghanistan, appoint Ambassador to Kabul Pakistan on Friday (May 30, 2025) announced to upgrade its diplomatic ties with Afghanistan and appoint an Ambassador to the country, a major indicator of improvement in ties between the two neighbours.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Home Secretary likely to visit Manipur next week
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan is likely to visit Manipur next week, on June 2 and June 3, in the wake of fresh protests and a 'civil disobedience' call by Meitei groups in the northeastern State over the May 20 incident in Gwaltabi. On that day, security forces allegedly tried to cover the word 'Manipur' on a State transport bus that was ferrying journalists to the hill district of Ukhrul for the Shirui Lily festival. After arriving in Imphal, the Home Secretary is likely to visit the Kuki-Zo areas in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi to review relief and rehabilitation work and the overall security scenario in the State, officials said. In an unprecedented turn of events, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, upon his arrival from Delhi on May 29, had to take a helicopter for the seven-kilometre journey from Imphal Airport to Raj Bhavan as protestors swarmed the roads seeking his apology for the Gwaltabi incident. The Coordination Committee for Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), an Imphal-based Meitei civil society group, has called for the removal of all top government officials in the State, including the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Chief Secretary. This week, civilians also locked Government of India offices. The civil disobedience call given by COCOMI continues, with journalists boycotting all government functions and events. After President's Rule was imposed in the State on February 13, there has been a sharp drop in the number of violent incidents, and more than 350 people have been arrested for extortion, abductions, and threatening civilians. However, around 60,000 people who were displaced from their homes when ethnic violence between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei people started in May 2023 are yet to be resettled and continue to live in relief camps. Around 250 people have been killed in the ethnic violence so far. Several civil society groups and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have demanded the restoration of the democratic set-up, and 10 Manipur legislators met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on May 28 at the Raj Bhavan to seek the formation of a 'popular' government. Earlier, on May 5, BJP's North East in-charge Sambit Patra met former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, BJP legislators in the valley and hills, and Kuki-Zo and Zomi civil society organisations. After the Gwaltabi incident, representatives of two different Meitei civil society organisations were called to Delhi to meet A.K. Mishra, the Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) North-East Adviser. On April 4, Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed Parliament that both communities in Manipur 'should understand that dialogue is the only way forward,' and that the Union government is not in favour of continuing President's Rule in the State 'even for a single day.' He reiterated that a Manipur High Court order had triggered the violence in the State in May 2023, adding that the interpretation of the order led to insecurities among the tribal community about losing reservation status and it became a 'tribals versus non-tribal' issue.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
No order to cover ‘Manipur' on bus, Chief Secretary says panel will inquire
In an attempt to put the row over covering of the word 'Manipur' on a state transport bus to rest, state Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh Thursday expressed regret over the incident and announced an inquiry into it. Making it clear that there was 'no instructions' to cover the word 'Manipur', Singh, who was addressing mediapersons in Imphal along with Kuldeip Singh, Security Adviser to Manipur government, said, 'The state administration has taken the reported untoward incident with utmost seriousness and the incident is deeply regretted… The state will also ensure that such an incident does not occur in future.' Chief Secretary Singh said that Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has constituted an inquiry committee comprising the Commissioner (Home) and the Secretary IT which will submit its report in a time-bound manner. Emphasising that the state administration was 'committed to the integrity of the state of Manipur', he assured that after the report is submitted 'and those responsible for the lapses, if any, are identified, strict action would be taken'. On May 20, security forces allegedly stopped a state-run bus, carrying journalists to cover the Shirui Lily festival in Ukhrul district, near the Gwaltabi checkpost and forced Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) staffers to cover the state's name written on the windshield with a white paper. In the Valley, this was seen as an insult to the state which led to widespread protest. According to Singh, there was 'no instructions whatsoever or even remote thought of covering the name of the state'. 'This has been amply clarified by the state government as well as by the responsible political leadership. What transpired on the ground, would be revealed after a thorough inquiry only,' Singh said. Amid massive protests, Governor Bhalla, who was returning from Delhi after a meeting, was taken in a chopper to Raj Bhavan from the Imphal airport on Monday. Congress state president K Meghachandra Singh has said the incident showed the failure of President's Rule in the state. Chief Secretary Singh also said that the festival was organised 'as part of normalcy-restoration process' and it attracted about 1.7 lakh people. 'People of all communities travelled with families from valley areas and other parts of the state as well as from outside the state, to Ukhrul to attend the festival as the state administration provided foolproof security and safe environment for festive activities. However, one unfortunate incident on 20th of May 2025, when a Manipur State Road Transport Bus ferrying journalists to the Shirui Festival was stopped and the name of the state was reportedly covered, has drawn wide criticism,' he said.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Slow and unsteady: on Manipur and an elusive peace
It has been a little over three months since President's Rule was declared in Manipur, after a disastrous spell when the State government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party's N. Biren Singh, failed to de-escalate tensions in the ongoing ethnic conflict. By all accounts, there has been a significant reduction in gun violence and arson, which had flared up sporadically since the ethnic conflagration began in May 2023. Some of the weapons that were looted from police constabularies have been returned and the militants do not seem to be roaming around with sophisticated weapons impudently as they did earlier. But that has not meant that peace has returned. The free movement of people and goods across highways and between the hills and the valley continues to be impeded. There have been no signs of any thaw in the hostility between the two communities that were at the centre of the conflict and this has meant that those displaced, and who lost their homes in the valley and the hills, are yet to return. That the peace has been fragile was seen in the way the Imphal valley convulsed in protests following a recent incident during the run-up to the Shirui Lily festival, in Ukhrul district in late May. When a State transport bus with journalists drove close to Kuki-Zo inhabited areas, some security personnel placed stickers on the bus to hide the name of the State – an act that riled civil society groups in the valley. Ostensibly, this was done to allow for their safe passage through the Kuki-Zo areas but it only antagonised groups in the valley who saw this as an act of kowtowing to demands for a 'separate administration', one of the key demands of the Kuki-Zo community representatives. Apparently, some of the latter's partisans had opposed transport services through their areas but stepped back after a stern stance by the organisers of the festival. It is understandable that the Union government has to walk a tightrope in Manipur, and that explains the relatively slow pace of a return to 'true normalcy'. But the government must take strong steps in disarming insurgent and chauvinist groups who continue to hold sway in the valley and the hills. It should also send out a message that these sections will not represent the respective communities in the peace and political initiatives that are needed to resolve the conflict. The distrust of state institutions has led to ethnic partisans setting the discourse. In order to reverse this situation, a stronger commitment to implementing the rule of law, while focusing on rehabilitating the victims of the conflict, is the need of the hour. Meanwhile, there have been calls for the restoration of the State Assembly, with some MLAs claiming majority support for a fresh iteration of an NDA government. This step should only be considered if there is some consensus on steps to be taken towards normalcy among the elected representatives of the respective communities and civil society actors.
