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PremiumManipur news LIVE updates: Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a press conference in Manipur's Imphal today. During the conference, he said that Central government has constituted a probe committee to be headed by a retired judge to investigate incidents of violence in Manipur that have led to the loss of lives and damage to properties. The union Home Minister who concluded a four-day visit to the State today said that a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team will investigate cases of violence in the State.
On Wednesday, he visited Moreh and Kangpokpi and had wide-ranging discussions with civil society organisations and security forces, directing officials to take "stern and prompt actions to prevent violence and recover looted weapons to bring back normalcy at the earliest".
During his visit to Manipur to restore peace in the conflict-affected region, Union Home Minister Amit Shah engaged in a succession of meetings with political and civil society leaders representing the Meitei and Kuki communities. Additionally, he visited visit Churachandpur as part of his itinerary, PTI reported.
Soon after reaching the northeastern state, he chaired a high-level meeting with CM Biren Singh, other ministers and senior officials in Imphal.
Manipur has been grappling with heightened tension and unrest following a recent surge of inter-ethnic violence, resulting in the deaths of at least 70 individuals and the displacement of tens of thousands.
The initial trigger for this violence was the Kuki community's frustration regarding the potential allocation of guaranteed quotas for government jobs and other benefits to the Meitei community as a form of affirmative action.
Senior IPS officer Rajiv Singh, currently working as an inspector general with the CRPF, has been sent to Manipur and likely to be appointed in a key post to handle the prevailing security situation in the state.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday said challenges in Manipur have not disappeared, but expressed hope that things will settle down in some time while noting the situation in the north-eastern state now is not related to insurgency.
Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government for the recent violence in Manipur.
So far, over 80 people have been killed in the Manipur violence, according to officials.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will on Wednesday morning visit the India-Myanmar border town of Moreh in Manipur's Tengnoupal district where he will meet Kuki civil society groups, besides reviewing the security measures in place, Army sources said.
Top Congress leaders on Tuesday met President Droupadi Murmu and sought her intervention in helping bring normalcy in violence-hit Manipur, and called for the constitution of a high-level inquiry commission headed by a serving or retired Supreme Court judge to probe the incident.
The Mizoram government has sought ₹5 crore assistance from the Centre to provide immediate relief to people who have taken shelter in the state from violence-hit Manipur, a senior official said on Tuesday.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said she has written to the Centre, seeking permission to visit the strife-torn state of Manipur.
CDS General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday emphasizes that the situation in Manipur does not pertain to counter-insurgency but rather revolves around a clash between two ethnic groups.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the government's top priority is peace and prosperity in Manipur and he has instructed security officials to strictly deal with any activities that disturb peace.
Shah said this after a review meeting with senior officials of Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the Indian Army here.
Congress accuses the BJP-led government in Manipur of insufficient action against "arson and violence," and further demands a Supreme Court judge-led inquiry commission.
International and national award-winning sportspersons from Manipur Tuesday said that they will return the prizes given to them by the government if the state's territorial integrity is compromised.
"Held a meeting with a group of women leaders (Meira Paibi) in Manipur. Reiterated the significance of the role of women in the society of Manipur. Together, we are committed to ensuring peace and prosperity in the state," Amit Shah tweeted.
As part of his mission to broker a lasting peace in the troubled Manipur state, Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday met a cross section of Kuki and Meitei leaders and civil society groups besides top security officers to seek a solution to the spate of ethnic clashes which has plagued the state.
People thronged Khwairamband Market of violence -hit Imphal after the administration gave a six hours relaxation in curfew till 11 am.
People were seen rushing for buying essential items in the market. Women vendors of the Ima Keithel (said to be the largest women-only market in the world) expressed their happiness over the Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the state and hoped for the situation to get normal at the earliest.
In his ongoing visit to Manipur, Amit Shah held three rounds of talks with various groups such as Indigenous Tribal Leadess' Forum (ITLF), Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) and other civil society organisations. In addition to this he also interacted with five Kuki MLAs from the BJP.
"We demanded total separation from Manipur -- both political and geographical. We also sought President's Rule as the law and order has totally collapsed in the state," ITLF secretary Muan Tombing told PTI.
Home Minister, Amit Shah, requested the Kuki society to maintain peace for the “next 15 days", reported PTI. He also assured the people of sending more security personnel for the safety of common people, he added. Within 15 days, CBI will carry out a detailed probe to find out the reasons behind this prolonged clash.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah held talks with leaders of different communities including Kuki community. He held talks with Kuki civil society leaders and a series of discussions with Meitei groups, women groups and prominent personalities earlier on Tuesday in Imphal before flying to the headquarters of the hill district by the same name.
During the third day of his visit, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Moreh and Kangpokpi areas of Manipur on Wednesday. The minister will meet delegations of various local groups in Moreh. After this he will interact with with Civil Society Organisations in Kangpokpi, followed by a security review meeting in Imphal.
Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, said that peace and prosperity in Manipur is government's top priority. He also instructed officials to strictly deal with any activities that disturb peace. (Read full report)
On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Churachandpur, and interacted with Kuki civil society leaders. The place one of the worst-hit regions due to riots erupted between ethnic confilct last month.
Amit Shah was accompanied by the IB chief and home secretary during his visit. Earlier in the day, the government had announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh to those who died during the ethnic conflict in Manipur.
In his ongoing visit to Manipur, Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed security situation in Manipur with senior officials of police, CAPFs, Army in Imphal.
Eleven of India's top award-winning sportspersons including Mirabai Chanu, Anita Chanu, etc, pn Monday warned of returning their medals if the state's territorial integrity is compromised. Eleven of the sports players will submit a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue during his ongoing s tour of the state. L Anita Chanu (Dhyan Chand awardee), Arjuna awardees N Kunjarani Devi (Padma Shri), L Sarita Devi and W Sandhyarani Devi (Padma Shri awardees) and S Mirabai Chanu (Padma Shri and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee) are among the 11 sportspersons.
"If Amit Shah does not give us an assurance about the protection of the integrity of Manipur, we will return our awards given by the Indian government," Anita Chanu said at a press conference on Tuesday.
The Mizoram government sought ₹5 crore assistance from the centre to provide immediate assistance to people who came from the violence-hit Manipur, a senior official told PTI on Tuesday.
Till Monday, as many as 8,282 people flocked to Mizoram due to the ethnic conflict, said state home department commissioner and secretary H Lalengmawia said.
"A letter seeking monetary assistance of ₹5 crore as immediate relief for the internally displaced people was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs last week. We are hopeful that the Centre will provide the assistance as the displaced people are none other than Indian citizens," the state home secretary told PTI.
Addressing the challenges in Manipur, Chief of Defence Staff General Anul Chauhan on Tuesday said that challenges in the state haven't disappeared. He also expressed hope that things will settle in some time. He also added that the current situation is not related to insurgency.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to the central government seeking permission to visit Manipur and talk to the people. She claimed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the state is the result of her letter.
"I also wrote a letter seeking permission to visit Manipur and talk to the peace-loving people of Manipur. Since I wrote a letter, that's why he (Union HM Amit Shah) did that. Despite visiting Manipur, he isn't speaking with the people of the state," says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Amit Shah's visit to violence-hit Manipur
The Congress said that a special drive must be carried out to trace many numbers of missing people.
“There is a need for immediate identification of those who have lost their lives and handing their bodies over to the bereaved families for the last rites. A special drive must be carried out to trace many numbers of missing people. A large number of children are living in the relief camps and special arrangements for the education of the students of the displaced families must be made," the party said in an official statement.
Congress said that villages near the foothills of both communities must be covered with adequate security so that armed militants do not intrude and disturb peace, reported ANI.
"The Union government should take steps for the rehabilitation of all displaced persons at their original place or in safer areas with suitable security arrangements. Payment of dignified and reasonable compensation for loss of life, property, and all other things concerned to all the victims and affected persons," the party said.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and a delegation of party leaders met with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where they presented a memorandum outlining their concerns on the recent clash in Manipur, reported ANI.
Following the eruption of violence in Manipur on May 3, the central government had designated Kuldiep Singh, the former chief of CRPF, as a security adviser for the Manipur government on May 4.
Rajiv Singh, a senior IPS officer serving as an inspector general with the CRPF, has been deployed to Manipur and is expected to assume a significant role in managing the current security challenges within the state, reported PTI.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday held a meeting with Meira Paibi, a group of women leaders.
The home minister additionally conducted a gathering with representatives from civil society organizations as a component of his efforts to engage with them, PTI reported.
"Held a meeting with a group of women leaders (Meira Paibi) in Manipur. Reiterated the significance of the role of women in the society of Manipur. Together, we are committed to ensuring peace and prosperity in the state," Shah tweeted.
As per a spokesperson from the home ministry, Shah convened a meeting with a group of diverse civil society organizations in Imphal earlier today.
Home Minister Amit Shah meets delegation of civil society organisations in Manipur, says MHA spokesperson. (PTI)
Officials announced on Tuesday that both the central and Manipur state governments have jointly decided to provide a compensation of ₹10 lakh to the individuals who lost their lives in the recent ethnic conflict in Manipur, PTI reported.
Additionally, a family member of the deceased will be offered employment opportunities. It was further clarified that the compensation amount will be shared equally by the central and state governments.
CDS General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday said, “I would like to say that the armed forces and Assam Rifles have done an excellent job there and may have saved a large number of lives. Though the challenges in Manipur have not disappeared, it will take some time. Hopefully, this will settle and the government there will be able to do the job with the help of CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) etc."
Chauhan was in Pune on Tuesday to review the passing out parade of the 144th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA), PTI reported.
The meeting concluded with decisions on implementing a range of relief measures and strategies to increase the availability of essential commodities in the affected north-eastern state, as reported by PTI citing sources.
These actions aim to alleviate the impact of escalating prices, which have surged due to the onset of ethnic violence earlier this month.
During his visit to Manipur to restore peace in the conflict-affected region, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will engage in a succession of meetings with political and civil society leaders representing the Meitei and Kuki communities. Additionally, he will also visit Churachandpur as part of his itinerary, PTI reported.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah who is on a mission to restore peace in strife-torn Manipur, will hold a series of meetings with political and civil society leaders from both the Meitei and Kuki communities and visit Churachandpur, the site of some of the worst rioting earlier this month, on Tuesday.
As per a report by PTI, the meeting, sources said, decided on a series of relief measures as well as steps to augment supplies in this north-eastern state to cool down prices of essential commodities which have soared since ethnic violence began earlier this month.
People come out of their houses to buy essentials in Imphal, during curfew relaxation hours.
On Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met the Governor of Manipur Anusuiya Uikey and also chaired a meeting with Chief Minister N Biren Singh and ministers of the state, senior leaders and officials here to assess the situation and plan further steps to restore normalcy in the region.
He held a meeting in the presence of Union Minister for State Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, and Intelligence Bureau chief Tapan Deka among other officials concerned in the state as well as the Centre.
A woman delegation meets Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Imphal, Manipur, ANI reported.
CDS General Anil Chauhan on Tuesday said that the situation in Manipur is nothing to do with counter-insurgency and is primarily a clash between two ethnicities, reported ANI.
Meitei leaders claim that Kuki militants who had signed suspension of Operation pacts with the government and agreed to live in designated camps guarded by central forces, have been roaming around freely with weapons, a charge that the Assam Rifles however does not agree with, as reported by PTI.
Currently, in tribal areas, land can be owned by tribals under customary law.
"The Kukis have been involved in poppy cultivation for a long time and it created a drug culture in Manipur. When the government destroyed that, it created resentment in the community," Prof Angom Dilip Kumar Singh of Manipur University told PTI.
Meiteis, residing primarily in the Imphal valley, attribute the clashes to the Kuki tribals, linking them to issues such as poppy cultivation, militancy, and resistance to granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to Meiteis.
In contrast, the Kuki community, predominantly residing in the hills, accuses the Meiteis of jeopardizing their existence by attempting to seize their land through their pursuit of ST status, reported PTI.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley.
Tribal Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had provided reassurances that the government would employ necessary measures to safeguard diverse communities within the state.
As reported by PTI, he emphasized the importance of engaging in discussions with all groups and promoting a message of peace. Furthermore, he ensured that justice would be served in the matter.
The death toll from clashes since ethnic rioting began on May 3 has gone up to 80 according to officials with three people succumbing to injuries on Monday and two being killed by firing by militants on Sunday.
Army and paramilitary personnel have been conducting combing operations in the Imphal valley and surrounding districts, an official said. The Army operation is aimed at confiscating illegal caches of arms, he said.
Media reports of mob looting all arms and ammunition have surfaced from the armouries of 7 Manipur Rifles at Khabeisoi, 2nd Manipur Rifles at Deulahane and 3rd India Reserve Battalion at Thoubal.
During operations in Sansabi, Gwaltabi, Shabunkhol, Khunao in Imphal East, Army apprehended 22 miscreants with weapons and other war like stores. Five 12 bore double barrel rifles, three single barrel rifles, one country made weapon with double bore and one muzzle loaded weapon were recovered," officials said in a statement.
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