REGIONAL

IMPHAL : Manipur Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Sunday said that peace is unlikely in the state unless all the people who are in possession of illegal weapons are disarmed. The illegal weapons, including firearms looted from the security forces and those purchased illicitly, have been used since the beginning of the ethnic violence in Manipur in 2023. “Until and unless those in possession of illegal arms are disarmed, peace is unlikely in the state. Be it Meitei, Kuki or Naga, we are calling for disarming everyone. Several meetings with security forces have been conducted,” the chief minister told reporters. Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla had in February 2025 urged warring groups to voluntarily surrender weapons robbed from security forces and other illegally held arms. The state was then under President’s Rule, which was lifted a year later. The chief minister said that Imphal valley is just 10 pc of the total state area, so more effective operations are needed in the hills. Imphal valley is home to the Meitei community, while the Kuki and Naga communities live in the hills. At least 260 people were killed and thousands became homeless in the conflict between the Meitei and Kuki people since May 3, 2023. “The total number of CoBRA battalions to be deployed in Manipur would be increased from two to three. Their operations would start after the necessary 45 days of training in the terrains and environment suitable to the state,” the CM said. CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) is an elite, specialised unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). “Law is above all of us. The particular case involving the death of six Nagas has been handed over to the NIA and all culprits — whether a minister, an MLA or anybody — would be punished,” he said. Singh was referring to the June 10 recovery of the bodies of six Naga men, believed to be of those held hostage for around a month following the killing of three church leaders in Kangpokpi district. Their mortal remains were found a day after 14 Kuki individuals who were abducted at the same time by armed groups in Senapati district were released. “To develop Manipur into an ideal state, the involvement of all communities is required. As for illegal immigrants, that would be detected through the SIR, and the government is also considering the demand for NRC implementation in the state,” Singh said. The chief minister also said that proper fencing and patrolling are equally needed. On the Suspension of Operations (SoO) ceasefire pact among the Kuki Zo militant groups, the Centre and Manipur government, he said the state cabinet had previously sought abrogation of the pact. (Source: PTI)  

IMPHAL/CHURACHANDPUR : Manipur police chief Mukesh Singh has warned that those who try to take the law into their hands or fire at security forces will be strictly dealt with. Addressing a press conference after his first visit to Churachandpur district on Saturday, he said that “around 70 per cent of looted weapons have been recovered”. “Anyone with arms who tries to take laws into their own hands will be dealt with very strictly. We will deal with them as per the law. Those with weapons would be arrested. Those who try to fire at us will be dealt with in self-defence. Proactive operations will continue till the situation is normal,” Singh said. The director general of police (DGP) also said, “A lot of misinformation is spreading on social media. We have a social media monitoring cell which takes action against those spreading false information that can lead to inter-community conflict. We are proactively engaging them and taking down those sites which are anti-social or anti-national.” Singh also said he visited Bishnupur and Churachandpur during which he held meetings with police, para-military and army officers. A police statement on Sunday said the DGP chaired meetings with District Police officers, CAPFs/Assam Rifles, and civil society organisations. “He appreciated the efforts of all units in maintaining law and order and praised the district police for drug seizures, arrests of armed miscreants, and recovery of illegal weapons”, it said. (Source: PTI)      

GUWAHATI : Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi on Saturday called for a proper inquiry into the deaths of five Indian Air Force personnel in a transport aircraft crash in Jorhat. Gogoi also expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the departed souls. “I urge the government and the Defence Ministry to conduct a proper inquiry into the mishap and identify the primary cause so that measures are taken to prevent such accidents in the future,” he said in a social media post. The deputy leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha said that it was “very unfortunate that these five bravehearts laid down their lives while on duty”. “The people of the nation will always remember their sacrifice with gratitude,” Gogoi said. Five Indian Air Force personnel, including two officers, were killed when their Russian-origin Antonov An-32 transport aircraft crashed while landing at Jorhat on Saturday. The co-pilot of the aircraft sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment at a military hospital in Jorhat, sources said. Six personnel were onboard the plane. The aircraft met with the accident during a routine sortie at approximately 10 am, according to the IAF. The deceased personnel are Squadron Leader Prashant Singh, Flight Lieutenant Shubham Kumar, Sergeant Jitendra Sharma, Agniveervayu Khemaram Kumawat and Agniveervayu Danish Alam. A court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident. It is learnt that the aircraft was set to fly to Chabua military base from Jorhat Air Force station but requested a landing shortly after taking off. Sources said the aircraft lost control upon touchdown and skidded off the runway. It hurtled across the parallel taxiway, snapping into two segments before being engulfed in flames, they added. (Source: PTI)  

AIZAWL : Mizoram Assembly Speaker Lalbiakzama on Saturday made a clarion call to preserve the rich tradition and culture of Mizos. Addressing a cultural day (Zo ni) organised by Young Mizo Association (YMA) at Sesawng near Aizawl, the Speaker said that Mizo culture, traditions and values form the foundation of the community’s identity and contribute to the state’s growing reputation among visitors from across India and abroad. “In a diverse country like India, safeguarding our unique cultural identity enhances the beauty and prestige of our state and the nation while earning respect from other communities,” he said. Lalbiakzama, who is also the legislator representing Chalfilh constituency, under which falls Sesawng, noted that Mizoram has witnessed an increase in tourist arrivals in recent years. He said that many visitors have highlighted the positive aspects of Mizo culture and traditions through videos and photographs shared on social media, helping to project a favourable image of the state. He attributed this recognition to the collective efforts of people of the state and urged citizens to continue upholding traditional Mizo values or moral ethics such as ‘Tlawmngaihna’, the spirit of selfless service, and respect for elders, which have been handed down through generations. Lalbiakzama also underscored the need to pass on traditional knowledge to younger generations, including Mizo folk songs, folk dances, folklore and traditional attire, to ensure the continued preservation of the community’s rich cultural legacy. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said the Cabinet has decided that Aadhaar cards would not be issued to those above the age of 18 to ensure illegal immigrants don’t acquire the document. “In exceptional cases, the district commissioner will have to send a proposal to the state government seeking permission for issuing the card,” he said at a press conference here after chairing a cabinet meeting. Remarking that Aadhaar card issuance has reached a saturation point in the state, Sarma said, “In some districts, it has crossed the 100 per cent mark, and we must ascertain who these people are who are taking the additional Aadhaar cards.” The step is being taken to ensure that no illegal Bangladeshis get Aadhaar cards, he said. (Source: PTI)

DIMAPUR : A group of seven Naga organisations has opposed an agreement among the Centre, Assam and Nagaland on energy exploration on the inter-state border before firming up a political settlement of Naga issues. The Naga National Political Groups (NNPG), in a statement, asserted that ownership and control over natural resources are part of the ‘Agreed Position’ signed with the Centre in 2017. Citing provisions of the 2017 agreement, the group maintained that any attempt to explore natural resources in Naga areas before a formal political settlement is reached would be “illegal and against the agreed principles”. A tripartite agreement was signed on Thursday among the Centre and the governments of Assam and Nagaland on energy exploration and extraction. The working committee of NNPG said it would ensure that no national or international company extracts crude petroleum from Naga soil until a political settlement is officially signed. It described oil extraction before a Naga political settlement as a “betrayal” of Naga rights and interests. The group also opposed any revenue-sharing arrangement involving Nagaland and Assam, arguing that the disputed area is historically and legally an integral part of the Naga homeland. The working committee of NNPG, comprising seven Naga political groups, has been negotiating with the Centre for a final Naga political settlement and signed the Agreed Position on November 17, 2017. The Centre has also been holding negotiations with the NSCN-IM for a solution since the signing of the ceasefire in 1997, and inked a framework agreement in 2015. In October 2019, the then interlocutor of the Centre for Naga peace talks declared that discussions had concluded. However, the Centre has not accepted the NSCN-IM’s persistent demand for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas. (Source: PTI)    

AGARTALA : Members of the two militant organisations, which had signed a peace agreement two years ago, launched a 72-hour rail-road blockade in West Tripura district on Friday, demanding the implementation of a Rs 250 crore rehabilitation package announced by the Centre. The blockade by the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) disrupted vehicular movement on national highways and train services, an official said. “We had a meeting with Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma yesterday where we reached some positive outcomes, but two important demands were not fulfilled, prompting us to launch the rail-road blockade”, NLFT leader Prasenjit Debbarma told reporters at Hatai Katar in West Tripura district. The government has engaged an agency to implement the rehabilitation package for the surrendered militants, which “violates the main spirit of the peace accord,” he claimed. A Memorandum of Settlement was signed, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, among the Centre, the Tripura government and the two organisations in September 2024. “The process of screening our members to extend benefits under the rehabilitation package is very slow. We demanded that the process be expedited at the earliest”, the NLFT leader said. He appealed to the Centre and the state government to consider the demands of the organisations because the blockade causes inconvenience to the people. “We are waiting for a call from the Centre and the state government for an amicable solution to our long-standing problem”, he said. The train services were badly affected, while vehicular movement came to a standstill on the Assam-Agartala and Agartala-Kamalpur national highways. (Source: PTI)

KOHIMA : Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has strongly condemned the killing of six Nagas in Manipur, describing it as a “horrific and inhuman” act and demanding immediate action against those responsible, while urging people across Nagaland, Manipur and Naga-inhabited areas to maintain peace and restraint. In a statement on X, Rio said the incident was particularly painful because it came after Naga organisations had facilitated the safe release of 14 hostages who were in their custody, ensuring their well-being, safety and dignity throughout their captivity. The Manipur Police on Wednesday said they found the mortal remains of six people, suspected to be of missing Naga men, who had been held hostage by armed groups in Kangpokpi district. The chief minister said the release of the 14 hostages was carried out in response to appeals from church organisations led by the Baptist World Alliance and following consultations with Naga civil society groups. Rio said he had personally participated in deliberations aimed at securing their release in keeping with the humanitarian and Christian values of the Naga people. Rio credited the United Naga Council (UNC) and other apex Naga organisations for exercising restraint and choosing the path of compassion and peace despite what he described as an “extremely volatile situation”. He said the safe release of all 14 hostages reflected the Naga people’s commitment to human dignity even under difficult circumstances. However, he said appeals for the reciprocal release of six Naga hostages allegedly held by members of the Kuki community ended in tragedy, with the six individuals reportedly killed instead. The chief minister termed the incident shocking and beyond comprehension, saying it had deeply wounded the conscience of the Naga people. Rio urged the Government of India and Manipur government to take urgent measures to ensure justice, calling for those responsible to be identified, apprehended and prosecuted under the law. “Accountability is essential. Only through a fair, transparent and credible process can a measure of confidence be restored among the people,” he said. The chief minister further called on authorities to take impartial steps to ensure the safety and security of all communities, warning that any erosion of public trust in government institutions would further aggravate the already fragile situation in Manipur. Appealing for calm, Rio urged citizens, particularly Naga communities in Manipur, Nagaland, the wider Northeast and Myanmar, not to allow grief and anger to fuel further violence. He called for unity, vigilance and adherence to the principles of peace, justice and human dignity. Rio also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and expressed solidarity with the victims, saying the entire Naga community stood with them during the difficult period. (Source: PTI)    

GUWAHATI : Deputy Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi on Thursday urged for a swift, impartial and transparent investigation into the killing of six Naga civilians in Manipur and said those responsible must be identified and brought to justice without delay. Manipur continues to endure the effects of prolonged conflict, with peace and normalcy still remaining elusive more than three years later, Gogoi said in a post on X. ”The brutal killing of six Naga civilians in Manipur is a deeply distressing tragedy. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims as they cope with this immense loss”, Gogoi, also the Assam state Congress president, said. “Innocent lives continue to be lost, while communities across the state remain burdened by fear and uncertainty,” he said. This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for lasting peace and accountability, he added. ”There must be a swift, impartial and transparent investigation into this heinous crime, and those responsible must be identified and brought to justice without delay.” Gogoi asserted. The Manipur Police on Wednesday said they found the mortal remains of six people, suspected to be of missing Naga men, who had been held hostage by armed groups in Kangpokpi district. The recovery took place a day after 14 Kuki individuals who were abducted by armed groups in Manipur’s Senapati district nearly a month ago were released. (Source: PTI)