Latest news with #Meiteis
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Manipur: Indefinite bandh in Churachandpur district following woman's death
Imphal: Normal life in Manipur's Churachandpur district was brought to a standstill after an indefinite shutdown called by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), a Kuki-Zo body. The shutdown comes in wake of the death of Hoikholhing, a woman from the Kuki community, who was allegedly killed during a crossfire between security forces and armed militants. Hoikholhing, said to be the wife of the village chief of Langchingmanbi in Churachandpur, succumbed to a bullet injury during an exchange of fire. The incident occurred while security forces were conducting a search operation in response to an earlier shooting incident in which Ningthoujam Biren, a 60-year-old farmer from Phubala Awang Maning Leikai, was shot in the left arm by unidentified armed assailants on Thursday. Also Read: Elderly Kuki woman killed in cross firing between security forces, armed men in Manipur Condemning the incident, six Kuki civil society organisations have expressed solidarity with the ITLF and extended support to the indefinite shutdown. Churachandpur town wore a deserted look on Friday, with roads blocked by the bandh supporters, particularly the Tiddim Road (NH-150 connecting Imphal and Mizoram via Churachandpur). Educational institutions, markets, and both government and private offices remained closed. However, essential services, including pharmacies and medical facilities, were exempted from the shutdown. In a statement issued on Friday, the Kuki Inpi Youth Affairs, a youth wing of a Kuki organisation, alleged that 'Hoikholhing was shot dead in a crossfire between security forces and armed militants inside her village.' Over 250 people have been killed after ethnic clashes broke out between the Meiteis, who live in the valley, and Kukis, who dominate the surrounding hills, in May 2023.
New Indian Express
9 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Day after violence, tensions prevail in Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts in Manipur
GUWAHATI: Tensions prevail in Manipur's Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts, a day after a Meitei farmer was shot in his left arm by an unknown armed miscreant, and a Kuki woman died in crossfire. Ningthoujam Biren, the farmer from Phubala area of Bishnupur district, was fired upon when he was working in his paddy field along with two other farmers. He was injured in the incident. After the incident, security forces launched a search operation in and around Langchingmanbi, Heichanglok and the western areas of Phubala. 'During the operation, security forces came under fire from unknown armed miscreants, and the forces retaliated accordingly. During the crossfire, one woman from Langchingmanbi village was found dead with a bullet injury. She was later identified as Hoikholhing, wife of Langchingmanbi village chief,' Manipur Police said in a statement. Cases have been registered in connection with the incidents, and an investigation is underway, the statement further stated. Bishnupur adjoins Churachandpur. Bishnupur is a Meitei-majority district while Churachandpur is a Kuki-majority district. The locals of Bishnupur on on June 19 blocked a highway in protest against the attack on the farmer. They demanded the arrest of the assailant and threatened to enforce a shutdown from June 20. It was learnt that Meitei civil society organisations and locals were holding a meeting where they would decide their future course of actions. Meanwhile, a shutdown was being observed in Churachandpur in protest against the killing of the Kuki woman. It was called by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum. The organisation demanded, 'immediate action against those responsible for this atrocity, concrete steps from the central government to ensure the protection of tribal lives and territory, and an independent investigation into the repeated buffer zone violations.' The ethnic conflict between Meiteis and Kukis, which had erupted on May 3, 2023, left over 250 people dead and some 60,000 others displaced.
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Security forces arrest seven militants in Manipur
Security forces have arrested seven militants belonging to various proscribed outfits in Manipur, police said on Friday (June 20, 2025). All arrests were made on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) and Thursday (June 19, 2025) from Imphal West, Tengnoupal, Kakching and Bishnupur districts, they said. Two active cadres of the banned Peoples' Liberation Army were apprehended from Wangoi Bazar in Imphal West district, an officer said. On 19.06.2025, Manipur Police arrested 02 (two) active cadres of RPF/PLA from Wangoi Bazar under Wangoi-PS, Imphal West District. They are identified as:- i) Leimapokpam Somendro Singh (47) of Leimapokpam Awang Leikai, Bishnupur District and ii) Tayenjam Haridas (44) of… — Manipur Police (@manipur_police) June 19, 2025 The central forces arrested one each belonging to the proscribed United National Liberation Front (Koireng) and outlawed PREPAK (Pro) from the vicinity of the border pillar 87 along the India-Myanmar border in Tengnoupal district. One active member of the banned KCP (PWG) was held from the Sekmaijing Khunou area in Kakching district, another police officer said, adding that the accused was involved in extortion activities in the valley area. One woman cadre of the outlawed KCP (PSC) was apprehended from Phaknung Thongkhong in Imphal East district on Wednesday. Another active member of the proscribed outfit Prepak was arrested from Kwakta Terakhongshangbi Bazar in Bishnupur district for allegedly being involved in extortion activities. Arms and ammunition were seized from his residence on Wednesday, the officer added. Security forces have been conducting search operations in Manipur since ethnic violence broke out two years ago. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. Also read: How is President's Rule imposed? | Explained The Centre had on February 13 imposed the President's rule in Manipur after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned. The State Assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation.
Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Govt-Kuki talks heading towards free movement deal in Manipur
Government negotiations with Kuki militant groups under the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with New Delhi are inching towards an agreement on allowing free movement of people and goods across Manipur — a crucial step towards re-establishing peace and normalcy in the strife-torn state, The Indian Express has learnt. Since the onset of ethnic violence in May 2023, Meiteis and Kukis have been geographically separated with the former confined to the Imphal Valley and the latter retreating to the hill areas. During the two-year-long violence, areas dominated by one community had become no-go zones for the other. Movement of goods, too, had been difficult. Following the imposition of President's Rule this February, free movement was among the first key announcements made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who set a deadline for March 8. However, opposition from Kuki groups and firing on a state transport bus plying from the Valley to the hills in Kangpokpi put the initiative on the backburner. According to sources, free movement in the state has been among the primary goals of the Centre, and a breakthrough may be achieved soon. 'The matter is under discussion with SoO groups. We are hopeful it (an agreement) will be achieved soon. The concerns of all sides are being addressed and SoO groups have indicated they are not entirely opposed to the idea. This will be a major breakthrough in re-establishing normalcy in the state. It is absolutely essential that people from the Valley are able to pass through the hills and those from the hills can come to the Imphal Valley,' a Home Ministry official said. Sources pointed to a conducive atmosphere for an agreement with a dip in violence since the imposition of President's Rule. The aggression displayed by groups on either side of the divide has mellowed, they said. An official pointed to the appeal by a Meitei group for safe passage to be provided to relatives of a Kuki who was among two women from Manipur killed in the Air India crash in Ahmedabad. Besides, the official said, Kukis did not disrupt the movement of Meitei civilians through their areas during the recent Shirui Lily festival. Sources said there has been a positive response from SoO groups during negotiations on pushing back their camps from the Valley's fringes — a longstanding demand of Meiteis. While many of the 14 SoO group camps are stationed in the interiors of the hill areas, some are located near the Valley. Meitei groups have alleged that these camps have been used to launch attacks in the Valley, a charge denied by Kukis. 'Various modalities are being discussed currently. One is shifting them back. The other is clubbing some smaller camps and bringing them together in a large camp,' a Ministry official said. Government sources said they do not expect opposition from Meitei groups on free movement since they were among those who 'suffered the most' after movement across the hills was restricted. 'For instance, today, a Meitei civilian can only fly out of Manipur since all roads across the hills are out of bounds. This has also disrupted the flow of goods into the Valley. When the Home Minister announced a deadline of March 8 for resuming free movement, Meitei groups had announced a march to the hills. This was seen as provocative by the Kukis at the time, leading to gunfire on the state transport bus in Kangpokpi, bringing the initiative to a halt,' they said. The Government, meanwhile, is also erecting camps for UNLF, one of the oldest militant groups in the Valley, following the peace deal sealed in November 2023. Sources said the Government is also preparing ID cards for UNLF cadres who will stay in these camps. 'The process is nearing completion and very soon they will be in the camps. This was part of the Government's efforts to gradually re-establish peace in the state and begin the process of talks with groups on either side of the divide,' sources said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Nagas in Manipur remember sacrifices of ‘martyrs'
Imphal: Close on the heels of Meiteis observing the June great uprising, Nagas of Manipur also commemorated 'Remembrance Day' on Thursday at All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) Memorial Park, Kapaam village in Chandel district, Manipur, reports Ngathingkhui Jagoi. ANSAM observes the day to mark the sacrifice of nine people — Shelly Chara, Ashun R Jangvei, Ng Sanii, Namthurei Abonmei, Gemcliff Zimik, Neli Chakho Mao, Dikho Loshou Mao, Mayopam ramror and Ramkashing Vashi. The nine persons had sacrificed their lives while fighting for the Nagas cause in different incidents.
