Page 3 - N Biren Singh

Manipur CM thanks Modi, Shah for decision to scrap India-Myanmar FMR

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for scrapping the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR) and for their committment to secure the border. Earlier in the day, Shah said the Centre has decided to scrap the FMR to ensure the country's internal security and maintain the demographic structure of the Northeastern states. The FMR allows people residing close to the India-Myanmar border to venture 16 km into each other's territory without any documents. Taking to X, Singh said, "Immensely grateful to Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji and Hon'ble HM Shri Amit Shah Ji for their commitment to securing our borders. The decision to scrap the FMR between India and Myanmar, as recommended by the Minister of Home Affairs, India, is crucial for our internal security and the demographic integrity of our North Eastern States." "This is yet another historic decision in curbing illegal immigration and strengthening

PM continues to maintain 'total silence' on Manipur situation, says Cong

The Congress on Sunday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to maintain a "total silence" on the situation in Manipur, and alleged that he had committed a "horrific injustice" on the people there. The opposition party's attack came a day after Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh met Home Minister Amit Shah. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh tagged a media report on the CM's meeting with Shah and said, "9 months to the day and yet no meeting with the PM who continues to maintain total silence on Manipur." "The PM goes to Guwahati for a road show but cannot and will not go to Imphal," he said. "A horrific ANYAY by the PM on the people of Manipur!" Ramesh added. After meeting Shah, Singh said the Centre is set to take "some important decisions" in the interests of the people of the state. During the meeting "matters of paramount importance" concerning Manipur were discussed. Ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023 after a tribal solidarity

Time for people to unite, identify real enemies: Manipur CM Singh

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday said the state is passing through a difficult phase and it is time for the people to unite and identify who the real enemies are. He said this at the flagging-off ceremony of the Imphal Ring Road project. "We are passing through a difficult phase today. This is not the first time that we are facing a difficult phase. During the 1992-1993 ethnic conflict, more than 1,000 lives were lost. Today we are struggling. We are dealing with elements who want to break up a state with more than 2,000 years of history", Singh said. The state has not slept for more than nine months now, he said. "We will never allow them to win or achieve it. More than 3,000 state forces have been deployed at peripheral areas" Singh said and appealed to the people "not to foment disturbances in Imphal Valley. Let the valley be peaceful. Let the protection of Manipur be our sole duty. No more rallies. Let's identify and face the real enemies of the state". He claime

Manipur CM meets representatives from 10 political parties to find solution

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said he has chaired a meeting with representatives of 10 political parties to address the current situation in the ethnic violence-hit state. He also said "constructive discussions" were held during the meeting at the CM secretariat on Sunday. "Chaired a meeting with representatives of the 10 political parties at my secretariat to address the current situation in Manipur. "Constructive discussions were held, reflecting a united commitment to navigate challenges and work collectively for the well-being of our state," Singh said on social media. After Sunday's meeting, Congress Legislative Party leader Okram Ibobi said the "10 political parties have urged the chief minister to seek an appointment with the prime minister and his intervention to end the more-than-8-month-long crisis". "Protecting the lives and properties of the people is the duty of the state government and the state has the right to ask the Centre for manpower and tools required f

48-hour strike disrupts normal life across Manipur's Imphal valley

Normal life was disrupted across Manipur's Imphal valley on Saturday due to a 48-hour strike called by a committee formed in connection with the recent killing of a 23-year old village volunteer. The Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising leaders of civil society organisations, has called the strike that began at 5 am. The village volunteer was killed in a gunfight between two warring communities in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on January 17, officials had said. Markets and other business establishments remained closed in Imphal valley, while public transport services did not operate. Attendance in offices was also reportedly thin. No untoward incident has been reported so far, a police officer said. The hill districts, however, were not affected by the strike. "We had submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister N Biren Singh in connection with the killing. However, there has been no response from the government... the JAC claimed in a statement. The committee has demanded the ..

'Ads of greatness won't be enough': Priyanka slams PM over Manipur violence

Priyanka Gandhi said that the Narendra Modi-led government must take concrete steps to bring stability in Manipur

3 people shot dead in Manipur, curfew reimposed in valley districts

Three persons were allegedly shot dead and five others injured in Manipur's Thoubal district on Monday evening, following which curfew was reimposed in the five valley districts of the state, officials said. Gunmen, who are yet to be identified, arrived in camouflage dresses in the Lilong Chingjao area, and opened fire targeting locals, they said. While three people died on the spot, five others were injured. Those injured were admitted to a hospital, officials said. After the attack, the enraged locals set three four-wheelers on fire. It was not immediately clear to whom these cars belonged. Following the fresh violence, curfew was reimposed in Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West, Kakching and Bishnupur districts, officials said. In a video message, Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the violence, and appealed to the people, particularly the residents of Lilong, for maintaining peace. "Police are working to arrest those behind the attack. They will be arrested soon and puni

Manipur CM N Biren Singh expresses concern over attacks on state forces

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has expressed concern over the attacks on state forces and said that a delegation will soon go to Delhi to meet central leaders and apprise them of the situation. Singh's statement came in the wake of five state police commandos injured in a attack at the border town of Moreh in Tengnoupal district on Saturday. They have been airlifted to Imphal and admitted to hospital. Taking to X, Singh said "The unprecedented attacks against the state forces in the recent times have become a serious national security threat. While the state and central security forces are actively engaged in maintaining control over the situation, it is also imperative for the combined security forces to adopt a robust and comprehensive approach to deal with these elements, who are relentlessly attempting to destabilise the state of Manipur." The CM held a meeting with BJP state president A Sharda Devi, ministers, MLAs and party leaders on Sunday and discussed the situation .

Low-key Christmas celebrations in Manipur amid ethnic violence turmoil

Christmas was celebrated in Manipur with Christians attending special prayer services and mass feasts on Monday. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh greeted the people of the state on the auspicious occasion of Christmas. "Let the spirit of Christmas illuminate our lives with love, compassion, and joy", he said in a post in X, adding that "May this Christmas fill our hearts with hope and inspire us to create a better future for all". Pastor Rev Khayaipam of Tangkhul Baptist Church in Imphal said "There will be community celebrations but we have encouraged and requested our members not to indulge in lavish spending and grand feasting. Rather, we have requested them to use the resources to help those who are marginalised in the current crisis and those in need". All Manipur Christian organisations had recently appealed to all Christians in the state to celebrate the festival in low-key in the spirit of forgiveness, peace, love and unity. G Guite, a member of the Baptist Church in .

Drug mafia, illegal immigrants behind Manipur ethnic violence: CM

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday blamed drug mafia and illegal immigrants for the ethnic strife that has rocked the northeastern state for months. Singh also attributed the current crisis to the failure of the previous government in guarding the state's borders. Nearly 200 people have died and over 60,000 were rendered homeless due to the ethnic conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities since May. The present conflict is engineered by drug mafia groups and illegal immigrants who have suppressed the voice of the original tribes. The war is not between Meiteis and Kukis, but between the government and the illegal immigrants, Singh told a gathering at Lilong in Thoubal district. "Everyday, I keep contact and communicate with my old Kuki friends through phone. They are helpless and unable to speak the truth as they are being intimidated by guns, the CM said. Singh said "more than 6,000 immigrants have entered Kamjong district from Myanmar due to fighting between t

Can't allow setting up illegal villages by foreigners, says Manipur CM

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday said that shelter cannot be denied to those seeking it on humanitarian grounds, but foreigners cannot be allowed to sneak into the state and set up illegal villages. The administration needs to collect biometric details of those who have taken refuge in Kamjong district after fleeing from Myanmar, Singh said. Around 2060 people from Myanmar have reached five places in the border district of Kamjong after fresh violence erupted between the army and alleged militants in the neighbouring country in November, an official said. "We cannot deny shelter on humanitarian grounds. The only thing is to have their biometric details taken and provide shelter to them temporarily. What we have been telling them is not to sneak into Manipur and set up illegal villages, the chief minister said. Singh was addressing the Vijay Diwas programme marking the Indian army's victory over Pakistan on this day in 1971. "We are providing food, medicines and ten

Manipur violence: SC asks state over steps taken to protect religious spots

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Manipur government to apprise the apex court-appointed committee of the steps taken to secure places of public worship in the state where ethnic clashes have claimed more than 170 lives since May. A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, while considering the issue of restoration of places of worship, said the state government shall furnish within two weeks to the panel a comprehensive list after identifying religious structures damaged during the strife. The bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, clarified the identification of such structures shall cover all religious faiths and denominations. "The government of Manipur shall apprise the committee of the steps which have been taken to secure the places of public worship," it said. The apex court also asked the committee to prepare a comprehensive proposal detailing the way forward, including with regard to restoration of places of public worship damaged or .

Biren Singh urges Mizoram CM not to comment on internal matters of Manipur

Citing Lalduhoma's comments, Singh said "It is beyond the Constitution because it is an internal matter of the Manipur government. He does not know what is happening in Moreh.

New era of peace in Manipur as Centre inks pact with militant outfit: CM

Chief Minister N Biren Singh said a new era of peace and progress has dawned in Manipur as the Centre signed a peace agreement with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF). The UNLF is Manipur's oldest militant organisation dominated by the majority Meitei community. "The signing of the peace agreement with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) today in New Delhi was made possible under the able leadership of Hon'ble Union Home Minister, Shri @AmitShah ji," the chief minister said in a post on X on Wednesday. "With his wisdom and continuous guidance, a new era of peace and progress dawns in Manipur. A chapter of growth and development now opens as many extend their faith and trust toward the BJP Government," he added. Representatives of the UNLF signed the agreement in New Delhi with senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Manipur government. The development after the ban on the group under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) was ..

'Forces' trying to disintegrate Manipur, people should stay united: CM

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday said that all sections of society must stay united to find a solution to the present situation in the state. Addressing a function here, he said there were "forces" trying to disintegrate the state, but the people should remain united. "Let political differences remain political, but when the issue at hand is national or state unity, all differences should be dismissed," Singh said. "This is not the time for bickering among ourselves," he said, adding that his government welcomes all constructive criticisms, advices and suggestions. Singh said that his government cannot allow any threat to the unity of the state or disintegration of the about 34 communities living here. Accusing the state government and the Centre of failing to tackle the ethnic violence that has been ravaging the state since May, Kuki-Zo groups of Manipur have been demanding a separate administration for the tribal areas. More than 180 people have been killed since

Manipur govt in peace talks with Imphal Valley-based insurgent group: CM

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday said his government was holding "peace talks" with an Imphal Valley-based insurgent group. Speaking to PTI-Video, Singh said the talks were at an advanced stage, even though he stayed away from naming the underground organisation. This was for the first time that there was an official confirmation about such talks being held by the government, since ethnic violence broke out on May 3. Earlier, sources had said that the government was holding talks with one faction of the proscribed United National Liberation Front (UNLF). More than 180 people have been killed since the violence broke out on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mainly i

Manipur govt terms ITLF's demand for 'self-ruled administration' illegal

The Manipur government has strongly condemned the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum's (ITLF) call for "self-governed separate administration" in districts dominated by members of the Kuki-Zo community and termed it as illegal. State government spokesperson and Education Minister Th Basantakumar Singh told reporters on Thursday night that "the irresponsible statements appear to be motivated and aimed at vitiating and disturbing the law and order situation in the state." "Meeting of the ruling party legislators held on Thursday strongly condemned the statement and appropriate legal actions is being initiated against ITLF and persons concerned," the minister said. ITLF, a frontal organisation of Kuki-Zo tribes in Manipur, had on Wednesday threatened to establish a "self-governed separate administration" in areas where these tribes have a majority. The forum said even after more than six months of ethnic strife in the northeastern state, the central government is yet to accept their dema

Rs 6.13 cr disbursed to provide aid to 61,000 people: Manipur CM

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday said his government has disbursed more than Rs 6.13 crore to deputy commissioners to provide assistance to over 61,000 people currently living in relief camps in the violence-hit northeastern state. The financial aid was provided to them to purchase clothes and personal belongings ahead of the winter season, he said. Each person living in the relief camps will get Rs 1,000 as part of the assistance, the chief minister said. "Financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per head has been disbursed for all the displaced persons residing at the relief camps on October 24, 2023 through the DCs. These payments are aimed at providing the displaced people some assistance to purchase clothing and personal belongings as winter approaches in the state," Singh said. "A total of Rs 6.138 crore has been released to DCs which will be utilised for providing assistance to 61,387 people" currently living in relief camps in the state, he said. The state governm

Manipur govt restrains circulation of videos depicting violence, damage

In a bid to restrain the circulation of videos and images depicting violence and damage to properties in the state, the Manipur government in an order said such dissemination will be dealt with severely and booked as per law. The order, which was issued on Wednesday night, came even as videos and images of widespread violence went viral on social media platforms. One such video shows two Meitei youths being shot at point blank and then being buried in a pit by a group of people speaking Kuki language. The location of the incident site and the place of the burial is, however, not known. The order issued by the Manipur home department stated, "The state government views very seriously and with utmost sensitivity the reported spread of videos and images depicting violent activities, inflicting harm or injury to (any)body or damage to private and public properties through various social media platforms which may aggravate the law and order situation in the state. "The state government .

Security staff who used force against students to be punished: Manipur CM

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh Saturday iterated that security personnel involved in the "excessive use of force" against students during a crackdown on a protest rally here in connection with the alleged killing of two students will be punished. He appealed to the people to remain united, maintain calm and collectively fight the enemies of the state, which has witnessed ethnic violence. Expressing shock over the incident in Imphal area which more than 100 students were injured in clashes with security forces on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, Singh, who was speaking at the sidelines of a programe here, said "I am really shocked at the excessive use of force ... at what was done to the children. Ministers of the state have personally met the injured students." Inquiry is on into the serious injury to the students. "Those responsible for the extreme injuries will be arrested and be dealt with legally," the chief minister said. Two students were seriously injured in the clash