Imphal:

In a significant development in strife-torn Manipur, the N Biren Singh-led BJP government has demanded control of the Unified Command that oversees security operations in the Northeastern state, sources have said. The Command is currently handled by a team of Union Home Ministry officials, the state security adviser and the Army.

Sources have said that Chief Minister Singh and all MLAs of the state have submitted a list of demands to Governor Lakshman Acharya. On this list is a demand for “adequate powers and responsibilities to the elected State government as per the Constitution by handing over Unified Command”, a source told NDTV.

Another key demand in the list is the scrapping of a Suspension of Operations agreement between the government and Kuki insurgent groups to enable security forces to crack down hard. In January this year, an all-party meeting in Manipur had asked the Centre and the state government to scrap the agreement so that security forces can launch full-scale operations against Kuki insurgents.

At the meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Singh, Opposition MLAs had also questioned why the Centre and the state government had not informed that Article 355 of the Constitution was in force in Manipur. Article 355 states that it is the duty of the Union to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbance and imposition of this provision means that state is one step away from President’s rule.

The list also calls upon the Centre to ensure peace in the state that is suffering due to a cycle of violence following ethnic classes in May last year. The Chief Minister and BJP MLAs have also demanded protection of the state’s territorial integrity, completion of border fencing, a National Register of Citizens exercise and the deportation of all illegal migrants, the sources said.

The clashes between the Meitei community and the nearly two dozen tribes known as Kukis, who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur, has killed over 220 people and internally displaced nearly 50,000.

The general category Meiteis want to be included under the Scheduled Tribes category, while the Kukis who share ethnic ties with people in neighbouring Myanmar’s Chin State and Mizoram want a separate administration carved out of Manipur, citing discrimination and unequal share of resources and power with the Meiteis.

Imphal:

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday condemned the drone bomb attacks on civilians as acts of terrorism and vowed a firm response.

Taking to X, Mr Singh expressed his outrage, stating, “Dropping bombs on civilian populations and security forces using drones is an act of terrorism, and I condemn such cowardly acts in the strongest terms.” Singh’s comments followed two separate drone bomb attacks in Koutruk and Senjam Chirang in Imphal West district, which resulted in the deaths of two persons, including a woman, and injuries to 12 others.

“The Manipur state government takes such unprovoked assaults with the utmost seriousness and will respond decisively to combat these forms of terrorism targeting the indigenous population,” Mr Singh said.

He emphasized, “We denounce all forms of violence, and the people of Manipur shall unite against hate, division, and separatism.” The use of drones in these bomb attacks marks the first instance of “hi-tech weapons” being employed in the state.

While drones had previously been used by warring groups for surveillance and tracking militants, this represents a significant escalation, an official told PTI.

On the attack at Koutruk, the official said “police responded promptly.” “There was mobilisation of armed miscreants in many places which had seen intense conflict in the past. When the attack started in Koutruk, immediately IGP, DIG and SP and other police forces rushed to the area to counter the situation. Retaliatory firing and combing operations along with Army and central forces were conducted,” a police statement said.

It said police head quarters also gave instruction to all senior formations and all district SPs to remain vigilant, alert all forces in their respective districts and conduct joint operations by coordinating with central forces.

The Manipur government has ordered the state police to conduct combing operations and sanitisation in areas bordering Imphal West district where two persons were killed and 12 others injured in an attack by suspected militants. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

A war of words between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav has escalated over the Assam government’s move to scrap the practice of two-hour assembly session adjournment for jumma prayers.

While Mr Sarma from the ruling BJP pointed out the decision was taken jointly by all MLAs including Hindu and Muslim leaders, Mr Yadav alleged the Assam Chief Minister’s party has made Muslims soft targets to spread hate and polarise society.

What escalated the exchange between the two was Mr Yadav’s post on X that took a swipe at Mr Sarma as someone who wants to “gain cheap popularity and become the Chinese version of Yogi,” alluding to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

असम के मुख्यमंत्री सस्ती लोकप्रियता हासिल करने एवं “योगी का चाइनीज़ वर्जन” बनने के प्रयास में जानबुझकर मुसलमानों को परेशान करने वाले कृत्य करते रहते है। BJP के लोगों ने नफ़रत फैलाने, मोदी-शाह का ध्यान आकृष्ट करने एवं समाज में धुर्वीकरण करने के लिए मुसलमान भाइयों को सॉफ्ट टारगेट… pic.twitter.com/tVue9mXoY9

— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) August 30, 2024

The RJD leader did not indicate if he was referring to inferior quality goods from China, or the north-east region, where people have often complained of racist remarks directed towards them.

Responding to Mr Yadav’s attack, Mr Sarma said, “Doing away with the two-hour jumma break was not the Chief Minister’s decision, but of all Hindu and Muslim legislators. When the assembly Speaker on Friday announced it, no Muslim MLA in the house raised any protest. There are 25 Muslim MLAs in Assam assembly, out of a total 126.”

असम में जुम्मे के ब्रेक को ख़त्म करने के निर्णय को कांग्रेस ने भी समर्थन दिया। बिहार या देश की किसी भी अन्य विधानसभा में ऐसा कोई ब्रेक है ही नहीं। मैं हैरान हूँ कि असम के बाहर के लोग बिना सोचे-समझे इसका विरोध कर रहे हैं। pic.twitter.com/fuUhhEi1nf

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 31, 2024

The Assam Chief Minister said the proposal to do away with this provision in the rules of procedures of the assembly was placed before the rules committee, headed by the Speaker, which unanimously agreed to drop the jumma practice.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who is from the BJP, waded into the battle and attacked Mr Yadav, alleging that the RJD leader had labelled the Assam Chief Minister “a Chinese just because he is from the northeast.”

“It appears that the INDI Alliance is made up of a bunch of ignorant racists who have no information about the history and geography of our country. First, it was Sam Pitroda. Now, it’s Tejashwi Yadav who is being racist towards the people of northeast,” Mr Singh said.

It appears that the INDI Alliance is made up of a bunch of ignorant racists who have no information about the history & geography of our country.

First, it was Sam Pitroda. Now, it’s Tejashwi Yadav who is being racist towards the people of North east.

It is unfortunate that a… pic.twitter.com/uc78LpohC2

— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) August 31, 2024

Mr Sarma also shot back at Mr Yadav, accusing him of “hypocrisy”. “Tejashwi Yadav is criticising me but I want to ask him… is there any such practice in Bihar? You (Mr Yadav) should have implemented a four-hour break when you were deputy chief minister of Bihar. Practice it first before preaching,” Mr Sarma said.

He added the decision was being criticised only outside Assam, while the state MLAs showed commitment to work for development.

In May 2021, a blogger from Punjab was charged by the Arunachal Pradesh government for his racial remarks against a Congress MLA. The YouTube blogger Paras Singh had in a video termed then Congress MLA Ninong Ering a “non-Indian” and claimed the “state was a part of China”, sparking furore among Arunachal residents as well as people from other parts of the country. Paras Singh was arrested and brought to Arunachal Pradesh, where he said he realised his mistake and sought apology. He was granted bail and allowed to return home.

Imphal:

On a two-day visit to Manipur, Indian Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, today met the state Chief Minister and held discussions on how the forces can help in bringing peace and stability in the state which has seen ethnic violence in the recent times.

On arrival, the Army chief was briefed on the operational preparedness by commanders on the ground. General Upendra Dwivedi also held a discussion with heads of various security agencies in the state wherein, he expressed his appreciation for the insights shared by them.

In a significant meeting with the Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh, The COAS discussed the internal security situation and role of Indian Army and Assam Rifles in early return of peace and stability in Manipur. The COAS reaffirmed Indian Army’s commitment to ensuring a secure environment for the people of Manipur.

During his visit, General Upendra Dwivedi also interacted with troops and complimented the soldiers for their professionalism, operational readiness, and dedication to duty. In addition, the COAS also met with veterans and praised their selfless service and their invaluable contribution towards Nation Building.

The Chief of the Army Staff was accompanied by the GOC-in-C Eastern Command, Lt Gen RC Tiwari, and the Spear Corps Commander, Lt Gen Abhijit S Pendharkar during the visit.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Imphal/Guwahati/New Delhi:

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has indicated the state government will work with all communities and civil society organisations to discuss redrawing district boundaries based on “administrative convenience” and not on “ethnic lines”.

Mr Singh in the state assembly on Monday blamed past governments for leaving behind a mess by slicing up districts to create new ones for “political convenience”, and not “administrative convenience”.

“Everyone keeps saying what’s happened has happened. I say we should discuss what’s happened and correct mistakes so that the future generations don’t suffer. The districts created in the name of administrative convenience, for example, Sadar Hills and Kangpokpi, it reaches all the way to Bishnupur. If a fire or some incident happens, how are the fire officers or the police going to reach Bishnupur from Kangpokpi?” Mr Singh said in the house. “The districts were created not for administrative convenience, but for political convenience.”

He called it “most unfortunate” that there’s an assumption in Manipur that districts have been created based on ethnic lines, “as if one district has been created for a particular community and given to them, forgetting what India is all about, what Manipur is all about.”

Some of the districts in the state were established not primarily for administrative efficiency by the earlier governments but to serve their political interests. pic.twitter.com/2hd3uyM4oa

— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) August 12, 2024

The Kuki-dominant Kangpokpi district headquarters lies 45 km to the north of the state capital Imphal. Kangpokpi district was created in 2016. The district’s long, inverted U-shaped area surrounds Imphal valley from the north, east and west, leaving the south open till it reaches Bishnupur district in the valley, 75 km away.

In the hills on the flank of Bishnupur, Kangpokpi also joins with another Kuki-dominated district, Churachandpur, which lies south of Bishnupur.

The Manipur Chief Minister’s comment that “political convenience” led to drawing district boundaries on “ethnic lines” was seen as one example referring to the expansion of Kangpokpi district – and the troubles the state is facing today, Manipur BJP sources said.

“This (ethnic division) fault has existed for a long time, and it will not be easy to correct it today. Our inability to proudly say we, together, are the people of Manipur – Manipuri Tangkhul, Manipuri Meitei, Manipuri Pangal, Manipuri Thadou or Manipuri Paite – is a serious, chronic disease. It will take time to cure this, but cure we must,” Mr Singh said in the assembly.

“To rework district boundaries based on administrative convenience and not on ethnic lines would be a good step… It seems some have started thinking they are kings of their districts. Despite living together for generations, suddenly there are complaints about taking ‘tax’, about being checked or stopped while entering a district… these are not compatible with the democratic set-up of the country… So we need reorganisation of the districts, for which we should sit together and discuss,” the Chief Minister, who belongs to the ruling BJP, said in the assembly.

Mr Singh’s proposal, however, has been criticised by some of the 10 MLAs from the Kuki tribes and also the Opposition Congress as a way to divert attention from more immediate issues linked to the ethnic violence between the Meitei community and the Kuki tribes. The 10 Kuki MLAs are not attending the assembly session.

Manipur Congress unit leader Lamtinthang Haokip in a post on X reminded the Chief Minister that he was a part of the same government when the districts were created.

“… When will you stop hatching and spreading hatred and lies, and playing divisive politics between different communities in the state? Are you not satisfied yet with your present sponsored ethnic violence in Manipur…” Mr Haokip said in the post.

Mr. @NBirenSingh stated in the house that “districts in #Manipur were created not for administrative conveniences, but for political conveniences by the previous Govt…The Nagas of Kangpokpi & Churachandpur district demanding to include their villages under Tamenglong/Noney or… pic.twitter.com/Tx1wIjjrJV

— Dr. Lamtinthang Haokip (@DrLamtinthangHk) August 12, 2024

Sources in the Manipur BJP said the Chief Minister’s move will likely get huge support across communities, as redrawing district boundaries on administrative lines will ensure people focus on governance, rather than ethnocentric politics.

The divide between the hill and valley regions in Manipur was a consequence of biased treatment during the previous administration. However, under the leadership of the BJP government, we have made significant effort towards bridging this gap.

Our commitment to equitable… pic.twitter.com/hw0wFKbKe3

— N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) August 12, 2024

“Mr Haokip’s attempt to tarnish the Chief Minister has failed. Biren Singh may have been with the Congress before, but it doesn’t mean he created the new districts, which the top Congress bosses did. It’s laughable,” a Manipur BJP leader told NDTV, requesting anonymity.

The clashes between the valley-dominant Meitei community and nearly two dozen tribes known as Kukis – a term given by the British in colonial times – who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur, has killed over 220 people and internally displaced nearly 50,000.

The general category Meiteis want to be included under the Scheduled Tribes category, while the nearly two dozen tribes that share ethnic ties with people in neighbouring Myanmar’s Chin State and Mizoram want a separate administration carved out of Manipur, citing discrimination and unequal share of resources and power with the Meiteis.

New Delhi:

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had a face-to-face meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his ongoing visit to Delhi. Mr Singh and PM Modi had discussed the situation in the state that was hit by massive ethnic violence last year, party sources told NDTV amid much speculation over the meeting.

Mr Singh is in Delhi for a special conclave of Chief Ministers from BJP-ruled states. But the short closed door session held in its sidelines , was specially scheduled to discuss the Centre and state’s plans and roadmap for a possible solution to the ongoing crisis. Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh were also present for the meeting, but no officials from the Centre or the state attended it, sources said, underscoring its exclusivity.

The meeting comes amid massive Opposition pressure on the BJP over the Prime Minister’s alleged silence on Manipur. Slogans of Manipur had rent Lok Sabha as the Opposition interrupted PM Modi’s speech on the Motion of Thanks following President Droupadi Murmu’s joint address for over two hours.

The BJP, though, has been especially focussed on Manipur after the two Lok Sabha seats in the northeastern state went to the Congress in the recent general election.

The meeting also comes on a day that Manipur governor Anusiya Uikey was removed and new Assam governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya was given additional charge of Manipur.

Over the last year, the clashes between the valley-dominant Meitei community and nearly two dozen tribes known as Kukis — a term given by the British in colonial times — who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur, has killed over 220 people and internally displaced nearly 50,000.

The general category Meiteis want to be included under the Scheduled Tribes category, while the nearly two dozen tribes that share ethnic ties with people in neighbouring Myanmar’s Chin State and Mizoram, want a separate administrative carved out of Manipur, citing discrimination and unequal share of resources and power with the Meiteis.

Imphal/Guwahati:

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh expressed optimism about finding a solution to the ethnic violence in the state as he left for Delhi from the state capital Imphal to attend a key meeting of the government think tank NITI Aayog.

Mr Singh will also attend a chief ministers’ conclave, to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr Singh is hopeful for a one-on-one meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss the state’s issues and find a solution to restore normalcy.

Since May 3, 2023, Manipur has been hit by unprecedented ethnic violence between the valley-dominant Meitei community and nearly two dozen tribes known as Kukis – a term given by the British in colonial times – who are dominant in some hill areas of Manipur. Over 220 were killed and nearly 50,000 were internally displaced.

The Chief Minister said he is confident that the meetings in Delhi will provide an opportunity to brief the Prime Minister on Manipur’s critical issues. “Some positive developments will surely come out,” he added.

Responding to the Opposition’s criticism of Finance Minister N Sitharaman’s Union Budget, the Manipur Chief Minister said the BJP’s rivals are playing “petty politics”. The Opposition has claimed the Budget offered nothing for Manipur, hit by violence and floods.

Mr Singh said the Centre has provided enough grants to address the resource crunch caused by the unrest and natural disasters. He asked the Opposition to avoid playing “petty politics” during this critical time.

On Wednesday night’s incident in Jiribam district where a house was set on fire, Mr Singh said the incident is unrelated to the ethnic violence. He said it was a “stray incident” caused by elements who want to exploit the ethnic tension for their personal agenda, and added the police have found some leads that will definitely lead to arrests soon.

On the upcoming Manipur assembly session starting July 31, Mr Singh said efforts are going on to ensure the participation of the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs, including two Council of Ministers, who have abstained from proceedings since the violence began.

These 10 MLAs have demanded a division of Manipur along ethnic lines in the form of a separate administration.

“We are inviting them. I’ve also personally invited them. The assembly is also inviting them. They should come and attend the house when in session. We will facilitate their presence in the house if they seek my assistance and cooperation,” the Chief Minister said.

Imphal:

 In a major breakthrough, Manipur Police, in a joint operation with the central armed forces personnel, seized multiple weapons, ammunition, drugs and cash from Myanmar-based militant group CKLA, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said on Monday.

Taking to his official handle on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, CM Biren Singh posted, “The seized weapons include AK47, Insas, Sniper and M16 rifles along with (a) huge cache of ammunition. Further, opium weighing about 2.5 kg, Rs 4,86,500 cash and various other items were also recovered.”

CM Singh informed further that earlier, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had taken up cases in relation to which it was said that there is a ‘transnational conspiracy’ by terrorist outfits in neighbouring Myanmar and Bangladesh to wage war against the Indian government by exploiting the unrest in Manipur.

“Today’s apprehension of CKLA cadres and the recovery of weapons has yet again underscored a transnational plot aimed at destabilising both Manipur and our nation,” the CM added in his post.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Imphal:

Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured him that those who had kidnapped and killed the two Manipuri youths will be arrested and punished.

A team of CBI officials, led by the agency’s Special Director Ajay Bhatnagar, has reached Manipur and started the probe into the crime which has rocked Imphal valley and led to two days of violent protests by students and youths on the streets of the state capital, leading to more than 60 people being injured.

The chief minister told reporters: “The central and state governments are very serious about this case. Union Home Minister Amit Shah-ji called me up yesterday evening and told me that he is sending a CBI team on a special flight to investigate the particular case.” Mr Shah quoted Biren Singh as saying that this case has to be dealt with very seriously and those responsible have to be booked as per the law of the land and assured that “no one will be spared”.

“After landing in Imphal, they (CBI) have started their investigation,” the chief minister said without disclosing the place where the CBI team has gone.

The case began on July 6 with the disappearance of the two youths and it was handed over to the central agency on August 28.

Biren Singh had announced on Tuesday night that CBI officials would be reaching the state on Wednesday to probe into the kidnapping and killing of the two youths.

Photos of their bodies went viral on social media, leading to protests by students in the state since Tuesday. The photos surfaced on social media on Monday.

Biren Singh said, “If security forces had fired bullets or anything lethal, the government will not tolerate it and disciplinary actions will be taken against them. In case of major injuries, investigations would be carried out to give them justice.” “If our children get unjustified treatment even from our own forces, disciplinary actions will be taken,” he said.

The chief minister said that he has information that objects made of iron were thrown at the security forces by miscreants who were among the demonstrating students,” Singh said adding a number of police personnel were also injured.

Chief Minister said agitations need to be peaceful and should not be held in hyper-sensitive zones of offices of the Governor and the chief minister.

He said the real issue is to protect the state and its indigenous people from “illegal immigrants and drug mafia.” Meanwhile, officials said that curfew relaxation has been cancelled in Imphal East district from 4 pm on Wednesday till further orders.

More than 175 people have been killed and several hundreds injured since ethnic clashes broke out in the northeastern state on May 3, when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Guwahati:

23 MLAs of the BJP-led government in Manipur have signed a resolution expressing their pledge to protect the territorial integrity of the state. They plan to go to Delhi soon to urge the Centre to maintain the existing territorial boundary of the state that has been struggling to control ethnic violence since May.

The resolution, a copy of which is available with NDTV, reads: “It is unanimously resolved by all the undersigned members of the legislative Assembly that we would stand for the territorial integrity of the state of Manipur and that no form of separate administration would be agreed to by us. It has also been resolved that all the members would proceed to Delhi soon to persuade the central leadership to bring a solution to the current crisis at the earliest.”

The 23 MLAs — 18 from the BJP and remaining five from alliance partners — include assembly speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, ministers Y Khemchand and Bishwajit Singh.

Ten tribal MLAs, including seven belonging to the BJP, and various tribal organisations, including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum and Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), have been demanding a separate administration (equivalent to a separate state) for tribals since May 12.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh, however, is not a signatory of this resolution.