Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday said that the current crisis in Manipur is not a clash between ethnic groups, and also not a law-and-order issue of the state, but "purely a war against the Indian Union by Myanmar and Bangladesh based Kuki militants in collaboration with militant groups operating in Manipur".
The Chief Minister said the unrest was instigated by a group of people who want to disintegrate the state, but the crisis has been "made to look like" an ethnic or communal clash, or religion based, or between the "majority and minority groups".
Biren Singh said that "however, with the voice of people, the real cause has come up". Recalling the statement made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament and by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Manipur violence and more importantly the statement of the National Investigation Agency on the arrest of one terror suspect, Seiminlun Gangte, on Saturday, the Chief Minister spoke on the "clear causes" of the crisis.
"As the issue is war against the Indian Union, the Central government would further take up necessary measures to tackle it," he said.
Referring to the arrest of four suspected accused by the CBI in connection with the killing of two young students, including a girl, Biren Singh lauded the swift action taken by the probe agency along with the army, paramilitary forces and the state police.
He reiterated the firm stance of the state government to make sure that the culprits are given stringent punishment as per law.
Initially, six persons, including two women, were arrested in connection with the killing of two students, but as two were minor girls, they were handed over to their relatives at Imphal airport.
The Chief Minister appealed to the people to obey the rule of law like seeking permission from concerned Deputy Commissioners while carrying out protests and rallies.
He continued that misunderstanding and confrontation between protesters and security forces could be avoided "if we follow rules".
Meanwhile, in another development, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), an apex body of tribals in Manipur, on Sunday, called an indefinite shutdown in Churachandpur district in protest against the "abduction of 7 Kuki-Zo people including two minors".
The ITLF urged the NIA and CBI to release the seven abductees within 48 hours, "failing which more intense agitation will follow in all hill districts of Manipur".
"All boundary areas with the Meitei inhabited areas will be sealed from tomorrow (Monday). No one will be allowed to enter or leave the buffer zones. All government offices will be closed from tomorrow (Monday)," said Ginza Vualzong, ITLF spokesperson.
Trump suggests Zelensky doesn't want to make peace while Putin does
US President Donald Trump has suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was "not a man that wanted to make peace," while claiming Russian President Vladimir Putin does want to end the war.
Tripura: BSF jawan injured, Bangladeshi smuggler killed in border clash
A Bangladeshi smuggler died and a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was injured during a clash along India-Bangladesh border with Tripura on Friday late evening, officials said.
CM Dr Manik Saha seeks collective effort for prevention of HIV/AIDS
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Friday chaired the 18th general meeting of Tripura AIDS Control Society here at the secretariat and emphasized on the need of setting up of call centres at Tripura AIDS Control Society for periodic monitoring of HIV/AIDS patients.
Tripura govt took multiple steps to bring down dowry cases: CM Saha
The Chief Minister, while addressing the ‘Swabalambi Naari, Swabalambi Tripura’(empowered women, reliant Tripura), said that 80 Deputy Collectors rank officials have been appointed as District Dowry Prohibition Officers, and all Sub-divisional Magistrates have been appointed as Dowry Prohibition Officers to curb the dowry-related cases.
Tripura observes National Science Day; Minister Animesh Debbarma emphasis to encourage youths in science and technology to build Viksit Bharat
The state science and technology minister Animesh Debbarma on Friday inaugurated the observance of National Science Day programme here at Agartala Sukanta Academy and emphasized on encouraging the youths in science and technology to build Viksit Bharat.
Jiten condemns BJP Govt over 'cruel' eviction of traders in Agartala
Leader of Opposition in Tripura, Jitendra Chaudhury, on Friday, strongly criticized the BJP-led state government for the demolition of illegally occupied shops in Agartala’s Lake Chowmuhani Market, calling the move “inhumane” and “cruel.”
Development shouldn't be politicized: CM Manik Saha
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that it is better not to engage in politics over developmental work, which is meant for the welfare of the common people.
13 Bangladeshi nationals, 3 Indian touts arrested in Kailashahar
Security agencies apprehended 13 Bangladeshi nationals along with three Indian touts in Chandipur under the Kailashahar Sub-division of Unakoti District.