Category: NORTH EAST

• ASSAM
• MANIPUR
• MEGHALAYA
• MIZORAM
• NAGALAND
• ARUNACHAL PRADESH

After 54 days, movement of vehicles carrying essentials resumed along the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) as the economic blockade, imposed by various organisations in the wake of the ethnic violence in Manipur, was lifted on Sunday.

At least three Village Defence Force (VDF) volunteers were gunned down and five others were shot at in Khujuma Tabi village in Manipur's Bishnupur district when militants attacked the village in the wee hours of Sunday, officials said.

Police arrested three drug traffickers in Assam’s Kamrup district, and recovered narcotic substances estimated to be valued at least Rs 12 crore, officials said on Sunday.

The National Highway 6 which passes via Meghalaya crossing Shillong from Guwahati connects at least four northeastern states – Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, and Southern Assam with the rest of India.

At least three Village Defence Force (VDF) volunteers were gunned down and five others shot at in Khujuma Tabi village in Manipur's Bishnupur district when militants attacked the village in the early hours of Sunday, officials said.

The tribal refugees have fled from their native villages in the CHT after an armed conflict started in mid November last year between the Bangladesh Army and the Kuki-Chin National Army (KNA), also known as Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF).

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Saturday said that people belonging to all 34 tribes in the state have to live together and remain careful that outsiders do not disturb the peace and demographic situation of the state. 

Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey on Saturday said that the paddy cultivation has been badly affected in the state as the cultivators are not in a position to work in the respective fields.  

BJP State President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi on Saturday appreciated Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the state and said that everyone’s focus should be on solving the situation and restoring peace in the state.

A private tutor was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a minor girl In Assam’s Hailakandi district on Saturday. Sarkar has reportedly been charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. 

Police said that Nath was found hanging on a porch behind the barracks of the Nellie police outpost in Jagiroad. The deceased cop had recently joined the police force.

Numerous activists participated in the protest, including well-known leaders like former Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) deputy chief executive Khampa Borgohain, MLA Rabiram Narzary, Rahindra Brahma, Munmun Brahma, and other BPF party members.

The weather department on Saturday predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall for Assam during the next five days due to the persistence of moisture intrusion caused by strong low-level southwesterly winds from the Bay of Bengal to Northeast India.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that the situation in Manipur is improving day by day and it would further improve in a week or in the next 10 days.  

Sangma, who is the President of the National People’s Party (NPP), told mediapersons here that UCC does not suit the country and goes against the actual idea of India, which is a diverse nation characterised by unity in diversity.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who is on two-day visit to strife hit Manipur on Friday said that it was heartbreaking to see and listen to the plight of those who have lost loved ones due to violence.

A day after he was stopped by a huge Manipur Police contingent, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday visited relief camps in Moirang, Bishnupur district, where he met people affected by the ethnic violence.

"Rahul Gandhi ji’s visit must be seen in that context, where he is reaching out to people yearning for a leader who listens to them and shares their pain. Across communities, we have received warmth and affection, because they see Rahul ji as a ray of hope".

Police fired in the air and used tear gas shells late on Thursday to disperse a mob who gathered at Khwairanband Bazaar in the heart of Imphal city as the body of a man, killed earlier in the day in a gunfight in Kangpokpi district, was brought and placed in a traditional coffin.

Sharing some details of the incident, the Army tweeted : “Unprovoked firing by armed rioters towards village Haraothel commenced at 5.30 a.m. Own troops deployed in the area immediately mobilised to prevent escalation of the situation.

The Congress has been demanding imposition of the President’s Rule in Manipur to control the law and order situation as the party claims that the state's BJP government has completely failed to deal with the violence.

After the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), another influential tribal organisation, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) on Tuesday reiterated that the tribal Kuki-Zo community would not hold any talk with the state government under Chief Minister N.Biren Singh.

On Monday, a combined team of Manipur police and JAT Regiment of Army apprehended a gang of arms smugglers. Three arms, 21 ammunition, two vehicles and cash were recovered from their possession.

The Manipur government will introduce a ‘no work, no pay’ rule for  government employees who are not attending office without authorised leave due to various reasons arising out of the ethnic violence.

The Chief Minister on Tuesday visited the relief camps at Youth Hostel, Khuman Lampak in Imphal East district and at Lamphel in Imphal West District and started distribution of the financial assistance.