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Hindustan Times
14-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Manipur: 328 firearms, 10,600 rounds seized as forces step up arms crackdown
Imphal: At least 328 firearms and 10,600 rounds of ammunition were recovered during search operations in the outskirts of five valley districts — Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, and Kakching — in Manipur, police said on Saturday. The joint operation was carried out on Friday by the Manipur police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Indian Army, and Assam Rifles (AR). 'The operations were launched during the intervening night of June 13 and 14, 2025, based on specific intelligence inputs suggesting the presence of hidden weapons in these areas,' a statement issued by the Manipur Police on Saturday read. According to the statement, the 328 firearms recovered in the operation include 151 self-loading rifles (SLRs), 65 INSAS rifles, 73 assorted rifles, 12 light machine guns (LMGs), 6 AK-series rifles, 5 carbine guns, 2 MP5 guns, 2 Amogh rifles, one AR-15 rifle, six pistols, two flare guns, one mortar, and two barrels. Additionally, over 10,600 rounds of ammunition were seized. 'This included 3,534 SLR rounds, 2,186 INSAS rounds, 2,252 .303 rounds, 407 Amogh rounds, 234 AK rounds, and 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition. The operation also led to the recovery of 591 assorted magazines, 10 hand grenades, three lathodes, seven detonators, and three para rounds,' the statement read. 'The Manipur Police reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace and security and urged the public to cooperate by reporting any suspicious activities or illegal arms hoarding to the nearest police station or the Central Control Room. Security forces are expected to continue such operations in a focused and sustained manner to bring lasting normalcy to the region,' additional director general of police (ADGP) of Manipur Police Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo said. Also read: Manipur: Ban on internet service lifted in five districts This latest recovery, which is part of a broader crackdown by the authorities to curb the circulation of illegal arms in Manipur, comes amid ongoing tensions following the arrest of five Arambai Tengol volunteers, including a key leader, Asem Kanan, who was formally arrested by a central bureau of investigation (CBI) team on June 8 at Imphal's Bir Tikendrajit International Airport. The remaining four volunteers were released late Sunday night. In response, the Meitei group Arambai Tengol called for a 10-day total shutdown in the state, which was suspended on June 10, coinciding with the visit of former chief minister N. Biren Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba to the national capital after being summoned by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on June 9. Since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023, more than 6,000 weapons and lakhs of rounds of ammunition were looted from police armouries across the state. Also Read: Amit Shah keen on restoring elected government in Manipur: Former CM Biren Singh After Ajay Kumar Bhalla was appointed Governor of Manipur, he issued an appeal on February 20, 2025, urging all communities to surrender looted and illegal arms within seven days. On the final day of the ultimatum, February 27, Arambai Tengol surrendered 307 weapons. However, Kuki-Zo groups refused to comply with the Governor's directive, declaring that they would not relinquish their weapons until their demand for a separate administration was fulfilled.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Manipur's ex-CM Biren Singh, Leishemba Sanajaoba meet Amit Shah, seek assistance to restore peace in state
Guwahati: Former Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh and BJP Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba met Union Home minister Amit Shah and sought his assistance in restoring peace in Manipur and installing a popular government. Both the leaders held two rounds of discussions on June 9 and June 10 with Shah. Manipur has been under President's rule since February this year. Talking to media persons on his arrival in Imphal from New Delhi, Biren Singh said Shah has assured them that there would be no compromise on the territorial integrity of Manipur. He said Shah made an appeal for restoring peace in the state. 'We discussed several issues, including the plight of internally displaced people , the current crisis in Manipur and the Free Movement Regime. Shah has started meeting community leaders as a step towards resolving the crisis,' Biren Singh said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cyberjaya: New Two Bed Senior Apartments Are Stunning! (Take A Look) Senior Living | Search Ads Search Now Undo 'We have apprised him on the demand for a popular government in the state. Shah assured that they also want to form a government but will observe the situation and take a call after discussions.' Recently, Manipur witnessed fresh protests and prohibitory orders was clamped in the five valley districts. The Manipur government has suspended Internet and mobile data services in five valley districts for five days after protests in Imphal East and Imphal West districts following the arrest of a leader of the Meitei radical outfit 'Arambai Tenggol'. Live Events
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
No enthnic truce, no end to President rule likely in Manipur
President's rule in Manipur will continue till a reconciliation is reached between the Kukis and Meiteis in the state, top government sources said on Wednesday while asserting that the Centre is committed to government formation in the troubled state. Manipur has been under President's rule after the resignation of N Biren Singh as chief minister in February. Top sources in the Centre said various initiatives were being taken to resolve the disputes between Meiteis and Kukis to ensure peace in the state. On being asked about several MLAs, including BJP MLAs, meeting the governor of Manipur, sources said everybody wants to form the government in the state. But some sort of an agreement has to be reached between the Kukis and Meiteis. Only then does it make sense to consider revoking President's rule, sources said. Meanwhile, Biren Singh met Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday and told reporters in Imphal that like people of the state, the Centre also wants a popular government in Manipur. The process of convening a meeting of representatives of various communities is underway, he said. On April 5, the Centre had held a meeting with Meitei and Kuki representatives to bring lasting peace in the state. On May 19, the MHA had issued a 30-day deadline for all states and union territories to verify the identity and documentation of individuals suspected to be illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar. Those who fail to produce valid documents would be liable for deportation. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
No ethnic truce, no end to President rule likely in Manipur
Government sources indicate that President's rule in Manipur will persist until reconciliation occurs between the Kuki and Meitei communities. The Centre is dedicated to establishing a government in the state, actively pursuing initiatives to resolve disputes and restore peace. While many desire government formation, an agreement between the communities is deemed essential before revoking President's rule. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads President's rule in Manipur will continue till a reconciliation is reached between the Kukis and Meiteis in the state, top government sources said on Wednesday while asserting that the Centre is committed to government formation in the troubled has been under President's rule after the resignation of N Biren Singh as chief minister in sources in the Centre said various initiatives were being taken to resolve the disputes between Meiteis and Kukis to ensure peace in the being asked about several MLAs, including BJP MLAs, meeting the governor of Manipur, sources said everybody wants to form the government in the state. But some sort of an agreement has to be reached between the Kukis and Meiteis. Only then does it make sense to consider revoking President's rule, sources Biren Singh met Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday and told reporters in Imphal that like people of the state, the Centre also wants a popular government in Manipur. The process of convening a meeting of representatives of various communities is underway, he April 5, the Centre had held a meeting with Meitei and Kuki representatives to bring lasting peace in the May 19, the MHA had issued a 30-day deadline for all states and union territories to verify the identity and documentation of individuals suspected to be illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar. Those who fail to produce valid documents would be liable for deportation.
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
MHA officials meet Kuki-Zo insurgent group members
The ministry of home affairs (MHA) officials on Monday held a meeting with representatives of the Kuki-Zo insurgent groups, which are currently under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact with the Centre, over the renewal of the SoO agreement. While the government is yet to comment on the details of the meeting, people aware of the matter, said MHA officials insisted on ensuring there is no hindrance from SoO groups on the free movement of people across the state and relocation of the camps from certain civilian areas, while the SoO groups insisted on new ground rules before the Centre renews the cessation of hostilities pact. Senior security force officers in Manipur maintained that the SoO groups wield influence over almost everything in the hill areas, where the Kuki-Zo people live, including their elected representatives. The meeting on Monday was significant because it was the first meeting held between government and SoO groups since the pact was put in abeyance last year. The MHA and the SoO group representatives have agreed to finalise a date within the next one week for the second meeting. 'There were five representatives from the two umbrella organisations KNO and UPF that are under SoO. The MHA side was represented by Northeast interlocutor AK Mishra and IB officials, including state's IB chief, a joint director rank officer. The ground rules need to be revisited and put on paper because a lot has changed since the SoO pact was signed in 2008. Before SoO is renewed, these rules must be formalised and put on paper. Both parties have to agree for its renewal. The second meeting will be held soon,' a person aware of the meeting said. The SoO agreement was signed by the Centre and the Manipur government with the insurgent groups in August 2008 and was being renewed every year until February 28, 2024 when the renewal process was kept in abeyance. The SoO was kept in abeyance by the Centre following allegations of SoO group cadres indulging in Manipur's ethnic clashes or providing training to the village defence volunteers, a charge that groups have denied vehemently. While former chief minister Biren Singh and other MLAs have demanded that the SoO pact be cancelled, Kuki-Zo groups and their legislators have requested Centre to renew the pact. There are around 1,500-2,000 insurgents from the SoO in different camps across the state. Their weapons are kept locked in a room within each camp under a double lock system - one key with them and the other with the government. Under the SoO Pact, the insurgent groups have agreed to stop any form of violence including attacks on security forces. The Centre and the state too signed that no force (army, paramilitary, state police) would launch operations against the signatories as long as they abide by the terms of the agreement. Meitei groups have accused SoO of being involved in the ethnic clashes, a charge that the representatives of the SoO groups deny.
