Northeast India

Hundreds of people took part in a rally in Manipur's capital Imphal on Tuesday to protest against the reimposition of AFSPA and the killings of six people, including three children, in Jiribam district by suspected Kuki militants last month. The rally commenced from Thau ground area in Imphal West district and covered around 5 km before culminating at Khuman Lampak stadium. Protesters held placards and raised slogans such as 'Do not obliterate Manipur' and 'Save Manipur', demanding the withdrawal of AFSPA. The procession was jointly organised to mark Human Rights Day by All Manipur United Clubs Organisation, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur, All Manipur Women Voluntary Association, Committee on Human Rights and Manipur Students' Federation. Woman demonstrator S Nirupama said, "On the occasion of Human Rights Day, we want to affirm that the people of Manipur stand strongly against the continued imposition of AFSPA in the state as well as against the killings of innocent wo

From 1979 to 1985, Assamese people fought against infiltrators... I pay my tributes to all those who sacrificed their lives for their country in the Assam movement, he said

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Manipur government to provide details in a sealed cover on the dwelling units and properties burnt either fully or partially, and encroached upon during the ethnic violence in the state. The top court asked the state government to spell out details of its actions taken against the culprits and the encroachers. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar fixed the plea for hearing in the week commencing January 20. In August last year, the top court had ordered the setting up of a committee of three former women high court judges to oversee relief and rehabilitation of victims and compensation to them besides asking former Maharashtra police chief Dattatray Padsalgikar to monitor the probe in criminal cases. More than 160 people have been killed and several hundred injured since ethnic violence first broke out in the state on May 3, 2023 when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protes

Prolonged violence in Manipur with frequent internet shutdowns, curfews and general strikes is affecting the academic and career pursuits of students pursuing higher education in the northeastern state, many educationists said. With frequent internet shutdowns, students are facing problems in having access to online resources and many recruiters are hesitant to visit campuses in Manipur for placement drive due to curfews and general strikes, they said. Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and also in charge of placement of National Institute of Technology (NIT) Manipur, K H Johnson Singh told PTI "We have witnessed a decline in recruitment drives after violence broke out in the state. At least 40 companies (online mode) came and 70 students have been selected this year. This is much less than what we were used to before the outbreak of violence. We had expected selection of some 100 students and some 50 companies." He said, "Recruiters who prefer offline mode o

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday sought an apology from the Congress for its "total failure" in bringing development in the Northeast. He also said that the Northeast has now become a place of peace and prosperity under 10-year rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a press conference here, Sonowal said during the long rule of Congress governments -- both at the Centre and in the eight state governments of the Northeast -- the region remained backward with little or no development. "It was a total failure of the Congress. The Congress should seek forgiveness from the people of the Northeast. I demand an apology from the Congress," he said. However, under the Narendra Modi government, the Northeast has seen all round development with construction of roads, highways, bridges, airports, railway lines, ports, AIIMS, higher education institutions among others. "Because of the initiatives taken by the prime minister and Home Minister Amit Shah, most of the insurgen

Addressing a press conference at his residence in Delhi, MoS Home Nityanand Rai said that soon after PM Modi assumed office in 2014, the northeast was given priority under the Look East Policy

Northeast extremist groups have a history of launching hit-and-run attacks in India from bases in Bangladesh, allegedly with support from Pakistan's ISI and Bangladeshi intelligence agencies

I hope the state and central government work together with the community and bring back peace because that is the most important thing, Bhaichung Bhutia added

GOC Pendharkar interacted with the troops and lauded them for their dedication to duty

A demonstration was held in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Tuesday to protest the government's decision to scrap the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR). The demonstration, led by the United Zou Organisation (UZO), started at the 'Wall of Remembrance' around 11.30 am. Carrying posters and placards, the demonstrators raised slogans against the government's decision to scrap FMR and fence the international border. "No border fencing can our cultural ties," said a demonstrator. The demonstration was attended by Saikot MLA Paolienlal Haokip, Henglep MLA Letzamang Haokip and Singngat MLA Chinlunthang, besides leaders of various Kuki-Zo tribes. A one-minute silence was also observed in remembrance of those killed in the ongoing ethnic violence in the state that has claimed over 250 lives since May last year. Leaders of the Kuki Zo Council, Zomi Council, Kuki Inpi Manipur and Hmar Inpui addressed the gathering. At the end of the programme, a memorandum addressed to Union Home

Tripura's Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury alleged that a bus on the way to Kolkata from Agartala was attacked in Bangladesh. The incident happened on Bishwa Road in Bangladesh's Brahmanbaria district, he said. "A Sahyamoli Paribahan bus on the way from Tripura to Kolkata was attacked in Bangladesh's Brahmanbaria Bishwa Road. The incident terrified Indian passengers on the bus. The bus was maintaining its lane when a truck intentionally hit it. At this point, an autorickshaw came in front of the bus, and the bus and the auto-rickshaw collided," Chowdhury said in a post on Facebook on Saturday, sharing photos of the bus. "Following this incident, locals started threatening Indian passengers on the bus. They also raised anti-India slogans and hurled expletives at the Indian passengers, giving them life threats. I strongly condemn the incident and urged the administration of the neighbouring country to ensure the safety of Indian passengers," he added. Buses operate between Kolka

A roundtable discussion was held between the Nagaland government and a delegation from the UK on the state's growing opportunities and investment potential. The programme was held Saturday upon the arrival of the UK delegation for the Hornbill festival, a statement said. Discussions were held on partnerships in key sectors such as agritech and creative economy, it said. In his opening remarks, Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland Chairman Abu Metha emphasised the global significance of the Hornbill Festival as a venue for networking and collaboration. He noted Nagaland's transformation into a "land of opportunities" while retaining its rich identity as a land of festivals. Stressing the potential for agritech and the creative economy to drive economic growth, Metha underscored the importance of strategic collaborations with the United Kingdom to usher in a new era of sustainable development for the state. British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron and Director of ...

The Nagaland government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the British High Commission to reserve five annual slots in the prestigious Chevening Scholarship for aspirants from the state. The MoU was signed by Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland Chairman Abu Metha and British Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata Andrew Fleming at the chief minister's official residence on Saturday, a statement said. The pact was inked in the presence of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and British High Commissioner Linda Cameron. The Chevening Scholarship provided by the UK government is aimed at nurturing exceptional individuals with leadership potential, the statement said. This collaboration will provide full funding for a one-year master's degree at any UK university, equipping scholars with advanced knowledge and skills in their chosen fields, it said. Under the terms of the MoU, the Nagaland government would part-fund the reserved slots, enabling aspirants from the state to .

Over the two days, more than 813 people of all age groups benefited from the camps

The tripartite talks among the Centre, Manipur government and United Naga Council (UNC) held on Friday in Senapati district over the demand for the rollback of the seven districts created in 2016 did not yield any results, officials said. The UNC has been demanding the rollback of the creation of Kamjong, Pherzawl, Kakching, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Noney and Jiribam. These districts were created during the previous Congress government led by O Ibobi Singh. "The discussions focussed on the issue of creation of seven districts by the Manipur government in December 2016," a joint statement issued by the representatives of the Centre, state government and the UNC said. "Representatives of the government of Manipur expressed inability to present a concrete proposal in view of certain difficulties. However, UNC expressed strong exceptions over non-submission of the concrete proposal and insisted that it be submitted in the next rounds of talks," it said. The meeting was held in a cordial

The Manipur government on Friday night hit out at Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, asking him to show "better statesmanship" by being a "good neighbour" rather than stoking the fire of "hatred and division" through "unwarranted comments". In a statement, the state government said that India must be wary of the "greater agenda of carving a Kuki-Chin Christian nation" out of contiguous areas of Myanmar, India and Bangladesh, played out over decades of meticulous planning. It said it will not allow fragmentation of Northeast India at the behest of foreign vested interests, or "secessionist interests as openly espoused by the Mizoram CM". "Mizoram CM reveals his democratic credentials by espousing imposition of President's Rule in Manipur while opposing boundary fencing of the Indo-Myanmar international border. He also calls for reunification of the Zo people. He also talks about possibility of armed militias in Manipur pointing their guns at Delhi and need for disarming, and sincere .

In the remote villages of Arunachal Pradesh, where the local tribals were once wary of the armed forces, the Indian Army has now become synonymous with hope and trust courtesy of its philanthropic efforts. From building schools, providing healthcare, developing sports infrastructure and addressing the locals' concerns, the army, under 'Operation Sadbhavana, is not only securing the borders but also working for people's welfare and easing their day-to-day struggles. In Bene village in the West Siang district of the state, more than 300 km from the capital Itanagar, the army installed fencing around a government school for the safety of the 50 children who study there. "We get continuous support from the army. The army has recently got the school fencing done. We have urged them to adopt our school," Principal of the government upper primary school Tumto Ete said. The school has eight rooms, smart classrooms and an alumni association, the principal said. Similarly, the Eastern Comma

ssam Chief Minister also proposed the establishment of tourism museums in New Delhi and Guwahati, which would play a crucial role in promoting Northeast India as a distinct tourism circuit

The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) in Assam said it will facilitate the return of around 1,000 Kuki-Zo people who took shelter in the Singhason hills since the outbreak of violence in Manipur last year. Meetings will be held with different stakeholders on the issue to facilitate the return of the Kuki-Zos who have come here, KAAC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Tuliram Ronghang said. "We are not going to forcefully evict them but will facilitate their return after discussions with various social and political organisations, including those from the Kuki community," he said. Ronghang said land rights would be given only to people who have lived in the Karbi Anglong district since its establishment or have been longstanding permanent residents. "Individuals migrating from outside the district, particularly those from Manipur, would not be granted land rights through our initiative of distributing land documents," he said on the sidelines of a land rights distribution programme

A meeting of MLAs of the ruling BJP-led NDA in Manipur adopted a resolution calling for a "mass operation" against the Kuki militants responsible for killing three women and three children in Jiribam district within seven days, a statement said. The meeting, held on Monday night, was attended by 27 MLAs. "To start Mass Operations against the Kuki militants responsible for the killing of the 6 (six) innocent women and children within 7 (seven) days," the statement said. "Declare the Kuki Militants responsible for the killing of the 6 (six) innocent women and children as an 'unlawful organisation' within 7 (seven) days," it added. It was resolved that the case be handed over to the NIA immediately. "The Centre to review the imposition of AFSPA as per the order dated November 14 with immediate effect," the statement said. If the resolutions taken are not implemented within the specified period, all the NDA legislators will decide the further course of action in consultation with the