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NDTV
05-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Sambit Patra In Manipur, Visit Sparks Hope Of Government Formation
Guwahati: The BJP's northeast in-charge Sambit Patra has reached Manipur and after a series of meetings, invited BJP MLAs for a meeting at the City hotel, sparking speculations of fresh efforts of government formation, sources said. But neither Mr Patra, nor any leader of the BJP have commented on this. The visit has sparked speculation of government formation in the state, which has been under President's Rule. There is a growing demand for a popular government in the state and recently 21 BJP MLAS has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the request. Mr Patra went to Churachandpur and later, met former Chief Minister N Biren Singh at his residence at Luwangsangbam. His last stop was the home of the Speaker Th Satyabrata. In Churachandpur, Mr Patra, who is also the BJP national spokesperson and state in-charge, visited Vungzagin Valte - the MLA from Thanlon who survived a mob attack in May 2023. He was seen shaking hands with the wheelchair-bound MLA Vungzagin Valte. Churachandpur MLA LM Khaute and student leaders like the Zomi Students Federation were also present at the occasion. Sources said he is having a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Kuki Zo Council (KZC) and the Zomi Council (ZC). On February 13, the Centre had imposed President's rule in the violence-hit state after chief minister N Biren Singh resigned. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been placed under suspended animation. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands left homeless in ethnic violence between the Meiteis and Kuki tribes in Manipur since May 2023.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Manipur marks two years of ethnic violence by remembering victims
Shutdowns marked the second anniversary of the ethnic conflict in Manipur as the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities remembered the victims of the violence in their respective areas of dominance on Saturday. Educational institutions and businesses in the Meitei-majority Imphal Valley shut down in response to a call by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a conglomerate of social organisations, to attend a public convention at Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal. People in the hills dominated by the Kuki-Zo group of tribes also observed a shutdown called by the Zomi Students Federation and the Kuki Students Organisation. At the COCOMI event, people offered floral tributes in memory of the victims. The speakers, including scholars, eminent personalities, and leaders of civil society organisations, called for peace, justice, resolution of the conflict, and the protection of Manipur's territorial integrity. The tenor of the Imphal convention contrasted with 'Separation Day', the theme of the anniversary event organised by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum, which has been batting for the rights of the Kuki-Zo people. The highlight of the forum's programme was the convergence of hundreds of people at the 'Wall of Remembrance' in Churachandpur to pay their homage to the Kuki-Zo victims of the conflict. Editorial | Ending the tragedy: On the Manipur crisis, a solution The emphasis of the 'Separation Day' was on the Kuki-Zo demand for a separate administration that has been gaining momentum since the ethnic conflict broke out two years ago. Security was heightened in different parts of the State, specifically in the Kuki-Zo and Meitei areas. However, no untoward incident was reported. The ethnic violence erupted on May 3, 2023, after tribals in the hill districts took out a solidarity rally to protest the State government's alleged move to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the Meiteis concentrated in the Imphal Valley, which along with the Jiribam area, comprise about 10% of Manipur's geographical area. The violence left more than 250 people dead and some 60,000 others displaced. Most of the displaced people continue to live in relief camps. Such has been the impact of the conflict that the Meiteis and Kuki-Zos are ethnically partitioned, unable to venture into each other's areas. The Centre tried to bridge the divide by opening up the highways — Manipur's lifelines connecting the Imphal Valley to the country beyond through the Kuki-Zo inhabited hills — on March 8. The attempt, a month after Nongthombam Biren Singh stepped down as Manipur's Chief Minister on February 9, backfired and claimed a life in the process. Manipur has been under President's Rule, imposed on February 13 after the Bharatiya Janata Party failed to reach a consensus on Mr. Singh's successor. A few days ago, 21 MLAs of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the State wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding the immediate installation of a 'popular government' in the State. The Opposition Congress, meanwhile, demanded fresh elections as the 'double-engine government' and the President's Rule failed to bring back peace and normalcy in Manipur apart from ensuring free movement and the return of the displaced people to their homes.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Manipur marks second year of ethnic violence with shutdown at various places
To mark the second year of ethnic violence in Manipur shutdown was observed at various places. The shutdown affected the normal life in the state. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Code of war: India and Pakistan take their battle to the (web)front Forex reserves show a pauperised Pakistan, a prospering India Pakistan conducts training launch of surface-to surface ballistic missile The showdown was peaceful across the hill and valley. The Meitei community's leading body, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), called the shutdown in the valley region, comprising six districts, while the Zomi Students Federation (ZSF) and the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) have imposed the shutdown in the hill districts. Shops, markets, business establishments, government and non-government offices, banks, and educational institutions were closed due to the shutdown, while most vehicles, except those of security forces, went off the roads. Security was beefed up in the entire state for Saturday. The official said that both the Central and state security forces have also been deployed at key and sensitive locations to prevent any unwanted incident, and the senior officials are closely monitoring the situation. Large number of people have gathered in Imphal's Khuman Lampak, where the COCOMI is organising a public convention as part of the observance of two years of ethnic violence. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), one of the leading organisations of the Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribals in Manipur, marked the day as "Separation Day". The COCOMI stated that the Manipur People's Convention on Manipur Crisis, after thorough deliberation and collective assessment, unanimously stated Manipur was, is, and shall always remain an indivisible entity. Under no circumstance shall the territorial integrity, historical identity, and political unity of Manipur be compromised. Any attempt, external or internal, to divide or disintegrate the state will be firmly and collectively opposed by the people of Manipur. 'The People of Manipur categorically acknowledge and declare that the Government of India has either wilfully neglected or strategically prolonged the crisis in Manipur to serve its own national and geopolitical interests, thereby gravely undermining the rights, safety, and dignity of the native and indigenous people of Manipur. This Convention strongly rejects the recent statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, which characterizes the crisis as merely a conflict between Kuki and Meetei communities and dismisses the involvement of terrorism and religious extremism. This statement is misleading, reductionist, and attempts to downplay the seriousness and complexity of the conflict. The convention added, 'The People of Manipur demand immediate and effective steps to guarantee free and safe movement across the state. The Government must immediately document and disclose all records relating to refugees, illegal settlements, and encroachments in the hill areas. This is crucial to understand the scale of demographic changes and illegal occupation undermining the state's demography and the safe and dignified return of all Internally Displaced people to their original homes within a fixed timeframe. This must include full reconstruction of homes and provision of relief packages to enable dignified resettlement. The Government must release official status reports and provide due compensation and support to the families of the missing. Just as Mount Amarnath and Kedarnath are protected during pilgrimages, the Government of India must take equal responsibility to secure and protect the sacred sites of Lord Kongba Maru Laiphamlen, Lord Koubru and Lord Thangjing in the hill areas of Manipur, and ensure safe pilgrimage for the 2 million Meetei adherents. (Enforce the Manipur Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1976.).' Manipur has been under President's Rule since February 60-member Manipur Assembly, which, after the promulgation of President's Rule, has been put under suspended animation, has a tenure till 2027. Over 260 people were killed, more than 1,500 injured, and over 70,000 people displaced after the ethnic violence broke out between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo people on May 3, 2023, after a 'Tribal Solidarity March', organised in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Fencing border Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday reviewed the progress of the ongoing border fencing work along the India-Myanmar frontiers. A senior official in Raj Bhavan said that the Governor at a high-level meeting reviewed the progress of the ongoing India-Myanmar border fencing work along Manipur. 'Officials of Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) which is a unit under the Border Roads Organisation (BRO briefed the Governor on the progress and highlighted matters related to land acquisition, approach roads, fencing, security, manpower and other related issues. Deputy Commissioner of five border districts also attended the review meeting via video conference'. Manipur Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Director General of Police Rajiv Singh, Commissioner (Home) N. Ashok Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Secretary to Governor, officials from Assam Rifles attended the meeting among others. Another official said that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has stepped up India-Myanmar border fencing work near Moreh town in Manipur's Tengnoupal district last year. The border fencing work was undertaken by 'Project Sewak' which is looking after road construction in Nagaland and Manipur. The Ministry of Home Affairs has earlier decided that the entire 1,643 km porous India-Myanmar border, known for the smuggling of arms, ammunition and narcotics, would be fenced at a cost of Rs 31,000 crore. Manipur shares a 398 km border with Myanmar while Arunachal Pradesh shares 520 km, Nagaland 215 km and Mizoram 510 km.
Hindustan Times
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Manipur shuts down to mark 2 years of clashes, sees widespread public support
Imphal: A shutdown called by various groups from the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities to mark two years of ethnic clashes in Manipur disrupted normal life across several parts of the northeastern state on Saturday. Markets, educational institutions, and private offices remained closed, while public transport stayed off the roads. On May 3, 2023, ethnic violence broke out between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups, leaving 260 dead, 1,500 injured, and over 70,000 people displaced. Amid growing tensions, chief minister N Biren Singh resigned in February this year and Manipur was placed under President's Rule. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has since been put under suspended animation. On Friday, security was tightened across Manipur after Meitei group Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) called a shutdown in the valley districts, while the Zomi Students Federation (ZSF) and the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) declared the same for the hill districts to mark the second anniversary of the violence. Also Read:Manipur: Meitei, Kuki-Zo communities to mark anniversary of ethnic clashes on May 3 A candlelight march is also scheduled for Saturday evening at Kangla Nongpok Thong to honour those who lost their lives in the conflict. The call for 'Sintha Leppa' (suspension of normal activities) drew a widespread response from the public on Saturday, with markets remaining shut, public vehicles off the roads, and private offices closed across the state. Schools, colleges and other institutes were also shut. Security forces have also been deployed at key locations to prevent any unwanted activities, officials said. In the hill districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, members of the Kuki community are observing 'Day of Separation', demanding a separate territory.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Shutdown in Manipur to mark two years of ethnic strife hits life
Shutdown called by various groups on Saturday (May 3, 2025) to mark two years of the ethnic strife in Manipur affected normal lives in both the Maitei-controlled Manipur's Imphal Valley and the Kuki-dominated hill districts. Meitei group Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) called a shutdown in the valley districts, while the Zomi Students Federation (ZSF) and the Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) have imposed the shutdown in the hill districts. It was on this day in 2023 that ethnic clashes broke out between the Meteis and Kukis, which left over 260 people killed, 1,500 injured, and over 70,000 people displaced, according to officials. Markets were shut, public vehicles remained off the roads, and private offices remained closed across the State. A few private vehicles were seen on the roads in the morning. Schools, colleges and other institutes were also shut. Security forces have also been deployed at key locations to prevent any unwanted activities, officials said. COCOMI will hold 'Manipur Peoples' Convention' at Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal. It has urged the people to attend the public meeting in large numbers. A candlelight march will also be held in the evening in Imphal to pay homage to those who died in the violence. The Kuki community in the hill districts of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts are observing 'Day of Separation', demanding a separate territory. A programme will be held at the 'Wall of Remembrance', which has been built in Churachandpur town in memory of those killed in the ethnic violence, at 11 am. Another programme is scheduled at the Sehken Burial site, where some of the Kuki people killed in the violence have been buried, from 2 pm.
