Category: MANIPUR

• IMPHAL

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday announced a judicial probe into the month-long ethnic violence in Manipur by a retired High Court Chief Justice and a CBI investigation into six specific cases.

Shah on Wednesday visited two more violence-hit districts -- Tengnoupal and Kangpokpi -- and held a series of peace talks with the leaders of various civil society organisations, influential leaders, and security officials.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Wednesday appealed to the people not to block roads and return the looted arms to the nearest security posts, "otherwise the government will take strict action as per law".

After reviewing the security situation in ethnic violence-hit Manipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday directed the concerned security officers to strictly deal with any activity disturbing peace in the northeastern state.

Thirteen sports personalities and medal winners in international meets on Tuesday urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to restore peace and harmony in Manipur at the earliest and to take stern action against Kuki militants, warning they will otherwise return their medals and awards.

According to a senior Manipur government official, during a meeting between the Home Minister and state council of ministers headed by the Chief Minister, it was decided to give compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to those who died during the ethnic violence.

Rights & Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), an independent think-tank based in Delhi, on Monday urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to consider imposing President's rule in Manipur in view of the failure to bring the ethnic violence under control despite the imposition of Article 355 on May 6.

The Army has apprehended 22 armed miscreants who tried to set houses afire in Imphal East District of Manipur, and also recovered weapons from their possession, an official said on Monday.

A top state government official said that Shah is expected to hold several rounds of security meetings to assess the prevailing situation, speak with all stakeholders and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and finalise strategies to restore peace and normalcy at the earliest.

Multiple incidents of gun fights between the security forces and the armed groups were reported from at least four districts in the strife-torn Manipur with injuries on both sides on Sunday, officials said.

As tension and anxiety continued gripping the ethnic violence-hit northeastern state of Manipur, eminent theatre personality Ratan Thiyam has appealed to the religious leaders of the state to take up a proactive role in restoring peace and stability.

The house of Manipur PWD Minister Konthoujam Govindas in Bishnupur district was vandalised by an irate mob on Wednesday, claiming that the state government has not yet taken sufficient and appropriate steps to protect locals from armed militants belonging to another community.

In fresh incidents of violence in restive Manipur, a man was gunned down by the armed assailants of a different community while two others were injured in separate incidents in Bishnupur district on Wednesday, police said.

Amid the ethnic strife, the Territorial Army of the 414 Army Service Corps Battalion (Marketing) successfully operationalised three vital oil installations -- Imphal Aviation Fueling Station, Malom Bulk Oil Depot and Sekmai LPG Bottling Plant, which were energy life line for Manipur.

Manipur's Commissioner, Home, H. Gyan Prakash, in a notification extending the suspension of internet services till May 26, said that the Director General of Police, Manipur, reported that there are still reports of incidents like arson of houses and premises.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education Rajkumar Ranjan Singh told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that in complete dismay and frustration, Kuki leaders including their 10 MLAs have demanded a separate political administration (equivalent to a separate state) for the tribals.

A mild intensity earthquake measuring 3.2 on the Richter Scale hit the mountainous Shirui areas of Manipurs Ukhrul district late on Saturday evening, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) said.

Amid the shortage of essentials items, transport fuel and life-saving drugs, banking and ATM facilities have also been affected due to the internet suspension across the mountainous state, making life more miserable for the people.

The Manipur Chemists and Druggists Association (MCDA) on Friday urged the state government to take immediate steps to address this critical issue arising out of the shortage of life-saving drugs.

A Congress leader in Imphal said on Thursday that the party President Mallikarjun Kharge has constituted the three-member team, comprising party General Secretary Mukul Wasnik, in-charge for Tripura, Sikkim, and Nagaland Dr. Ajoy Kumar and party's Tripura MLA Sudip Roy Barman to visit Manipur.

The Army and Assam Rifles are providing security to Manipur-bound goods trucks in efforts to maintain the continued supply of essentials to the violence-hit state, defence sources said here on Thursday.

Earlier on Monday, the Chief Minister rejecting the separate state demand, said: "The territorial integrity of Manipur would be protected. The Central government is also strongly against any division of Manipur."

To restore complete peace in Manipur, the Army has undertaken multi-pronged strategies including maintaining the highest vigil along the state's 400 km unfenced border with Myanmar.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Monday rejected the demand raised by 10 tribal MLAs for a "separate administration", equivalent to separate state, comprising the Kuki tribal-dominated districts of Manipur.

According to the source, the issue of the ongoing Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the Kuki militant outfits of the state is also likely to be discussed besides the ethnic violence and subsequent developments.