Don’t meddle in Manipur’s internal matters, Biren tells Lalduhoma

Imphal/Aizawl: Manipur CM N Biren Singh on Tuesday asked his newly elected Mizoram counterpart, Lalhuhoma, “not to interfere with Manipur’s internal matter” over a purported remark by the latter.Talking to the media at the state-level Nupi Lan Day, which is observed to honour the brave Imas (mothers) who fought against the autocratic policies of the British in Manipur in two Nup Lan episodes (women uprisings) here, Biren said, “I have seen one comment from him (Lalduhoma) that the state (Manipur) police should not harass his people in Moreh. It is a little bid beyond the Constitution because it is an internal matter of the Manipur state government.”When TOI reached out to Lalduhoma, he denied making any such statement. He said, “I have never talked with the Manipur chief minister. I have also not said anything in regard to what Biren Singh said about a statement about the Manipur Police and the people of Moreh.”Moreh in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district bordering restive Myanmar has witnessed sporadic violence since the ethnic conflict began in the state on May 3 this year. “Actually, as per the Constitution, we are having our own state. Whatever is happening in the state of Manipur is an internal matter of the Manipur government and the Manipur state,” Biren added.He said most of his colleagues from the neighbouring states have called him and asked about the situation in Manipur. “He (Mizoram CM) does not know what is actually happening in Moreh. There in Moreh many communities are living, Meities are living there, Tamils are living there, Meitei Pangals are living there, Kukis are living there, Thadous are living there, they cannot take it as a community’s area,” Biren added. The Manipur CM further said he has never made any comment on the Bru controversy in Mizoram.

Manipur student abducted by militants, rescued

Manipur police rescued Laishram Chinglen Singh, a 22-year-old student, from the hostel of DM College of Science in Imphal. Eight suspected cadres of the militant outfit KCP-PWG were arrested for abducting him for ransom. The abductors had demanded Rs 15 lakh and threatened to kill the student. A cache of arms and munition, including an AK-47 rifle and a samurai sword, were confiscated during the rescue mission.

Unanswered questions about the peace pact with Manipurs UNLF

The Centre and the Manipur government have signed a peace agreement with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), one of the oldest armed separatist groups in India's Northeast. Union home minister Amit Shah called it a historic milestone, as the UNLF has agreed to renounce violence and join the mainstream. The agreement comes at a time when Manipur is recovering from months-long ethnic clashes. The UNLF, founded in 1964, aimed to restore Manipur's sovereignty. The agreement with the Pambei faction of the UNLF has raised questions about the government's peace process.

NHRC seeks report on killing of 13 people in Manipur gunfight

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Manipur government, seeking a report within two weeks on the killing of 13 people in Tengnoupal district on December 4. The incident occurred in Leithao village near Saibol during a gunfight. The commission suspects that the victims may be militants from Myanmar, as the nearby hills are a common route for them to enter Manipur. The commission has called for a detailed report from the state's chief secretary and director general of police.