Author name: OnlineAge

IMPHAL : Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Saturday said his government was taking all steps to ensure that all those involved in the killing of six Naga people in Kangpokpi district are arrested. His comments came a day after a team of security officials led by the National Investigation Agency arrested two persons for their alleged involvement in the killings. Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of an event in Imphal West district, the chief minister said he had visited Makhan village in Kangpokpi district along with MLAs of two communities to meet the bereaved families who identified five individuals allegedly involved in the incident. Based on their information, two suspects have been apprehended, he said and added that necessary instructions have been issued to law enforcement agencies to ensure the arrest of the rest of the accused. The bodies of six Naga civilians were recovered from the vicinity of Leilon Vaiphei village on June 10, triggering protests by Naga and Meitei communities demanding the arrest of the perpetrators. The recovery was made a day after 14 Kuki individuals, who were abducted by armed groups in Manipur’s Senapati district nearly a month ago, were released. These 14 Kuki people and the six Nagas were among others who were abducted following the killing of three church leaders in Kangpokpi district on May 13.     Earlier in the day, the chief minister launched a tree plantation programme at the SEEDS Complex, Olympian Park in Imphal West District. “The initiative aims to promote environmental conservation through the plantation of Uningthou, the state tree of Manipur,” an official release said. About the possibility of reopening Olympian Park, the chief minister said that while people are still hesitant about visiting places perceived as risky, the situation is gradually improving and expressed hope the park would be reopened to the public soon. (Source: PTI)    

IMPHAL : Security forces have launched search operations in residential areas, vulnerable routes and forests in Manipur’s Ukhrul district to arrest those involved in the killing of two Assam Rifles personnel in an ambush earlier this week, an official statement said on Saturday. Assam Rifles said the paramilitary force, in coordination with the Border Security Force and Manipur Police, commenced a large-scale search operation in the Nungshang area on Friday. “The joint force is conducting intensive combing operations in residential areas, vulnerable routes and surrounding forests to trace the perpetrators, recover hidden caches and ensure the safety of local residents,” the paramilitary force said. Assam Rifles Warrant Officer Balwant Singh and Havildar CM Singh were killed when suspected militants fired at a convoy of the force in Nungshong Khong area under the Ukhrul Police Station limits on July 6. “Assam Rifles, in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF) and Manipur Police, launched a large-scale search operation in the Nungshang area of Ukhrul District, Manipur on 10 July 2026 following the tragic ambush of 06 July 2026 in which two Assam Rifles personnel made the supreme sacrifice,” it said in a post on X. The operation is underway, reaffirming the security forces’ unwavering commitment to restoring peace, maintaining law and order and bringing those responsible to justice”, it said. Meanwhile, NSCN IM, a Naga organisation, had denied any role in the attack in the district. In a statement, the organisation said it had no connection with the attack and reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire agreement with the Centre. The organisation said it remains dedicated to the ongoing peace talks and condemned actions that could undermine the peace process. It urged all stakeholders to act responsibly to preserve dialogue and stability. Security forces have been conducting search operations and area domination in the fringe and vulnerable localities across Manipur since ethnic violence broke out three years ago. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic strife between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups. (Source: PTI)    

SHILLONG : Five people died of suffocation inside a well in Lapalang area of Shillong, police said on Saturday. Among the deceased are two brothers who tried to rescue workers trapped inside the well at a private construction site in Rynjah police station area. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said the incident took place around 7.30 pm on Friday when four labourers working inside the well to pump out water got suffocated by the fumes of the generator used for the purpose. One of the labourers managed to get out and sought help when two brothers from the neighbourhood entered the well to rescue those trapped. However, they were also overcome by the fumes and got trapped, he said. Later, the State Rescue Team (SRT) retrieved five persons from the well and took them to North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), where doctors declared them brought dead. Police have registered a case at Rynjah police station. The exact cause of the deaths can be confirmed after the post-mortem examination report is received, he said, adding that further investigation is underway. (Source: PTI)    

KOHIMA : The Rising People’s Party (RPP) formally merged with the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) at a programme held here on Saturday, with Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio using the occasion to reiterate that the Naga political issue remains the party’s highest priority while calling for greater unity among Nagas across all regions. The RPP was formed on October 2, 2020, and was registered with the Election Commission of India in June 2021. Led by Joel Naga, the party positioned itself as a regional alternative and campaigned on issues of clean governance and electoral reforms. However, it did not win any seat in the 2023 Nagaland Assembly election and currently has no representation in the 60-member state Assembly or in any of the state’s urban local bodies. Addressing the gathering after welcoming the RPP leadership into the NPF, Rio, also the NPF president, said the merger was more than the coming together of two political organisations, describing it as the convergence of “people, ideas, experiences and aspirations” in the larger interest of the Naga people. He said Nagaland’s opposition-less government reflected the collective resolve of all elected legislators to work together for the greater cause of the Naga political issue, stressing that the issue remained at the top of the agenda of both the NPF and the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) government. “The Naga political issue remains at the very top of the agenda of the Naga People’s Front and the PDA government,” Rio said, adding that the party would continue to play the role of an active facilitator to help create a conducive environment for an early resolution of the decades-old Naga political conflict. Stating that the Naga people had waited for generations for a settlement, Rio said they desired an “inclusive, honourable and acceptable” political solution and assured that the NPF would continue to make every effort towards achieving the collective aspirations of the people. Highlighting the need for greater unity, the chief minister said Nagas had long been divided by geographical and administrative boundaries across Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Myanmar, but stressed that such “man-made boundaries” could neither erase their shared history nor weaken their common identity. While acknowledging that physical integration of Naga-inhabited areas might not be immediately achievable under the prevailing circumstances, Rio said the people must continue working towards “emotional integration” by strengthening bonds among Naga communities, promoting greater interaction and building a common sense of belonging. “It has always been the aspiration of the Naga people to come together as one family under one administrative umbrella,” he said, adding that although immediate physical integration may not be possible, the aspiration should not be abandoned. Rio said the NPF had a historic responsibility to serve as a democratic political platform for Nagas across the contiguous Naga homeland and expressed the party’s commitment to expanding its presence wherever Naga people reside. He also made a special appeal to Nagas in Manipur, where Assembly elections are due, to strengthen the NPF and work towards a common political platform representing Naga aspirations. Describing the merger as another significant step towards unity, Rio said every effort to overcome divisions strengthened the collective voice of the Naga people. “Politics must not always be about differences and divisions. Politics must also be about building bridges, reconciliation and creating hope for future generations,” he said, urging all sections of Naga society to put the interests of the people above individual and political differences. The chief minister also reiterated that peace and development must go hand in hand, outlining the government’s focus on improving infrastructure, connectivity, healthcare, education, employment opportunities, investment, entrepreneurship and rural livelihoods while ensuring greater participation of women and youth in the state’s development. Referring to the NPF’s alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rio said the partnership was aimed at securing an early political solution and accelerating Nagaland’s development, while reaffirming the party’s commitment to safeguarding Naga identity, traditions and Christian values. NPF president emeritus and Advisor to the Chief Minister Chingwang Konyak addressed the gathering before RPP President Joel Naga formally announced the merger of his party with the NPF. The merger was officially declared by NPF secretary general and Advisor Achumbemo Kikon, who also felicitated the incoming leaders and members. An oath-taking ceremony for the new members was administered by NPF working president Pusazo Luruo. Following the merger, some RPP leaders, led by its president Joel Naga, were assigned to different positions as the NPF Central office bearers. (Source: PTI)