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http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...few-imposed/story-vqPrJKI7SiSpFm2Jugz2kJ.html

At least 22 cars, buses and other vehicles were torched in Manipur’s Imphal East district on Sunday by residents protesting against the Naga economic blockade. As violence spread, authorities imposed curfew throughout the district as well as in neighbouring Imphal West.

In wake of the attacks, heavily armed police and paramilitary personnel were patrolling the trouble-prone areas after dispersing mobs by firing tear gas canisters.

Curfew imposed in a part of Imphal East following a militant attack was extended.

Expressing the people’s resentment against the blockade, activist A Rajen said: “Since the central government is pampering the United Naga Council (UNC) and the militant outfit underpinning it, the situation is getting worse day by day. The Centre is a silent spectator to the indefinite economic blockade imposed against Manipur since November 1.”

Women who called the 24-hour general strike had threatened with more agitations after they ended it on Saturday night.

In Sagolband area of Imphal West district, women stopped and set alight several items including consumer goods which were being transported to the tribal areas.

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Vehicles are seen burning after being set alight by protesters in Imphal, the capital of Manipur. (PTI)
Nirmala, a housewife, said: “No consumer item is available in the market. Baby foods, life saving medicines, chicken, fish, eggs had vanished. We are resorting to counter blockade against some tribal areas since they should also suffer like us.”

Meanwhile, villagers and staff of Vijaya Bank took out a procession on Sunday at Saikul, also a Kuki area, condemning the robbery of Rs 6 lakh on December 15 by two masked men.

Autonomous District Council member T Guite said: “The money belongs to the poor people and not the rich and influential businessmen. The common people are hit hard by the closure of the bank branch.”

While condemning the heist, elected representatives and village elders urged the bank to reopen the branch there.

Police circles and civil organisations fear a communal flare up as the central government has not stepped in to restrain the Naga groups. Police sources fear that this may be the beginning of a repeat of ethnic cleansing witnessed in the 1990s which left over 1,500 dead and dozens of villages destroyed.

Angry people set on fire vehicles in Imphal East district on Sunday in protest against the United Naga Council (UNC)s indefinite economic blockade.

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http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...n-the-state/story-H2iQupSoUPkBxgYTg8E6RL.html

The scale of the ongoing violence and the economic blockade in Manipur went up further on Sunday with protesters — those opposed to the blockade imposed by United Naga Council (UNC) — burning over 20 vehicles in Imphal East district and forcing curfew in the area.

The United Naga Council (UNC), which claims to be a common platform for Nagas in Manipur, imposed a blockade of two key highways — Imphal-Dimapur (NH2) and Imphal-Jiribam (NH37) — from November 1 in protest against the state government’s proposed move to create two new districts — Jiribam and Sadar Hills. UNC feels the move by the majority Meiteis will hurt their interests.

■ The blockade restricted entry of trucks carrying essential supplies to the state. Scarcity of goods has led prices to escalate. Cost of petroleum products have almost tripled. Though some trucks have been reaching the state under heavy security, scarcity of essentials continue.

Despite opposition by UNC, the Congress government of Okram Ibobi Singh issued a gazette notification on December 9 announcing creation of seven new districts — Jiribam, Kangpokpi, Kakching, Tengnoupal, Kamjong, Pherzawl and Noney — by carving Imphal East, Churachandpur, Senapati, Thoubal, Chandel, Ukhrul and Tamenglong districts. With the move, which the government claim is for “administrative convenience”, the number of districts in Manipur increased to 16 from the existing nine.

Updated: Dec 16, 2016 21:43 IST
Amid tight security, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Friday inaugurated two new districts which were carved out of as many Naga-dominated districts.

Singh inaugurated Pherzawl, carved out of Churachandpur district, and Noney from Tamenglong district.

During the Pherzawl function, Singh said a district is not created for a particular community but to bring infrastructure development in the interior hill areas.

■ While the creation of new districts was welcomed by Meiteis and Kukis, the Nagas intensified protests. Last week there were several attacks on security personnel at various locations, killing three security personnel and injuring nearly a dozen. The attacks are believed to be the handiwork of National Socialist Council of Nagaland-(NSCN-IM).

Three blasts, allegedly carried out by UNC cadres, rocked Impahl on Friday. There were no injuries. But the situation forced the administration to shut down internet services in most districts indefinitely. On Sunday, protesters in Imphal East district opposed to the UNC blockade targeted vehicles on the way to Ukhrul at Khurai and torched over 20 buses and SUVs.

■ Manipur goes to polls early next year. Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who has held on the post since 2002, hopes to retain it again and the move to create new districts is bound to be an important election issue.
 
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20TH_BUS

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Violence-spreads-in-Manipur/article16907640.ece

ethnic tension: A bus that was set on fire by miscreants at Senapati in Manipur on Monday.


Manipur remained tense over the creation of seven new districts, with violence spreading to Senapati district where miscreants torched two vehicles on Monday even as Chief Minister Okram Ibobi appealed for peace.

The State has witnessed clashes since the Cabinet announced the creation of seven new districts on December 9.


Night curfew was reimposed in Imphal West district from Monday evening, an order of the District Magistrate stated. The curfew had been lifted at 4 a.m. on Monday. Unidentified persons torched two vehicles, including a passenger bus at Naga Taphou in Senapati district in the morning, a police officer said.

Appeal for calm

In a message, the Chief Minister appealed for peace and harmony among different ethnic groups.

The United Naga Council (UNC) has been agitating against the government decision to make Sadar Hills and Jiribam full-fledged districts, claiming that it would bifurcate the ancestral lands of Nagas in Manipur.

The landlocked State has been facing severe hardship in getting essential supplies since November 1 after the UNC imposed an indefinite economic blockade on the two national highways that serve as lifelines for the State.

Internet blocked

Indefinite curfew continues in Imphal East district where mobile data services have been suspended since Sunday to prevent spread of rumours. The ban will be in force till December 25.

On Sunday night, four vehicles of former Minister Marung Makunga were vandalised at Saombung in Imphal East district, the police said.

The police are on high alert to contain further outbreak of violence in the wake of Sunday’s incident at the Imphal-Ukhrul Road where 22 vehicles were vandalised by a mob protesting against the blockade. — PTI
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These tribal enemities seem to be never ending. When are ppl planning to grow up.

Problem is being created from Myanmar .

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/centre-rushes-4000-paramilitary-personnel-to-manipur/
Centre rushes 4,000 paramilitary personnel to Manipur


The security personnel were sent to the Northeastern state keeping in view the security situation in the state in the wake of violence following the economic blockade imposed by the Union Naga Council on two National Highways since November 1.

The Centre has rushed around 4,000 paramilitary personnel to Manipur in the wake of violence following economic blockade on National Highways connecting the state. While around 1,500 paramilitary personnel were rushed in to Manipur in last two days, around 2,500 paramilitary were dispatched to the state last week, a senior Home Ministry official said on Tuesday.

The security personnel were sent to the Northeastern state keeping in view the security situation in the state in the wake of violence following the economic blockade imposed by the Union Naga Council on two National Highways since November 1. The UNC has imposed the economic blockade on NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH 37 (Imphal-Jiribam) that serve as lifelines for the landlocked Manipur. Curfew in Imphal East district was clamped indefinitely on Sunday last after a mob torched and vandalised 22 passenger vehicles on the Imphal-Ukhrul road, while curfew in Imphal West district was imposed from evening to dawn.


Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang has sought the intervention of both the Centre and Manipur government in securing the lives and property of Naga people in the Imphal valley of Manipur. Zeliang in separate letters to Union Home Minister
Rajnath Singh and Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh yesterday drew their attention to the plight of hundreds of Nagas who are stranded in the Imphal valley and claimed that they were prevented from proceeding to their respective villages in the hills after threats to their lives by some valley based organisations.
 
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http://zeenews.india.com/news/india...r-throwing-stones-damaging-buses_1960584.html

Imphal: Amidst relaxation of curfew in Imphal East district of Manipur, three persons were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly throwing stones and damaging at least three buses.


Police said locals of Napet Palli in Imphal East district threw stones and damaged the three buses, which were returning from Ukhrul after dropping a large number of people who had been stranded, after residents of Khurai and Lamlong went on a rampage and damaged 22 passenger vehicles on December 16 in protest against the blockade by United Naga Council.

The District Magistrate of Imphal East relaxed the indefinite curfew clamped on December 18, barring the violence-hit Imphal-Ukhrul road, district officials said.

Night curfew in West Imphal district, however, remained in force as a precautionary measure as the economic blockade by United Naga Council(UNC) on both the national highways of the state continued for the 51st day.

Internet services too remained snapped for the fourth day today to avoid spread of rumours and false propaganda, said a telecom official.

The violence had led to the clamping of curfew in the twin districts with the Centre dispatching a 4,000-strong paramilitary force to provide security for transportation of essential commodities on the national highways.

Meanwhile, leaders and people of different ethnic groups of the state attended an all-community meeting today for an amicable solution to the prevailing law and order situation in the state.

The leaders urged the Centre, the state government and other stakeholders to lift the economic blockade.


First Published: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 - 22:15

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...esident’s-rule-in-Manipur/article16913197.ece

The demand was placed by the UNC before Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh when a delegation of the group met in Delhi.
The United Naga Council (UNC) on Tuesday urged the Centre for imposition of President’s rule in Manipur where an economic blockade by the organisation snapped two highways connecting the state.

The demand was placed by the UNC before Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh when a delegation of the group met here.

“We appeal for imposing President’s rule in Manipur as the state government has failed completely on all fronts and law order has deteriorated. Creation of seven new districts is a ploy by the Manipur Chief Minister for electoral gains,” senior UNC leader Adani Mao said at a press conference here.

Mao, the former UNC president, who is at present looking after the affairs of the Council after the arrest of its senior leaders, alleged that Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh was trying “cheap tricks ahead of polls to hide the government’s incompetency”.

UNC blames state for disrupting peace

Claiming that violence has taken place in several areas of Manipur, Convener for Joint Naga Civil Societies, Lakpachui Siro, accused the Congress-led state government of disrupting peace by creating seven new districts for “electoral gains” ahead of the assembly elections next year.

“The state government is going to upgrade Sadar Hills and Jiribam regions to full-fledged districts without consulting the Nagas who inhabit the areas. Precious lands, which belong to them, are being snatched away and there are unrest in the state,” he said.





United Naga Council (UNC) members hold a press conference on the present crisis in Manipur in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Economic blockade in Manipur


The UNC, which has imposed an economic blockade on NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH 37 (Imphal-Jiribam) that serve as lifelines for the landlocked state, said Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh decided to create seven new districts “without consulting” the Nagas who, they said, are the most important stakeholders.

The UNC has demanded immediate release of its President Gaidon Kamei and Publicity Secretary Stephen lamkang who they said have been arrested “arbitrarily”.

The UNC has accused Meiteis of creating unrest in the state by killing innocent people, saying Meiteis are not only torching vehicles, burning down houses and looting Nagas, but also attacking places of worships in the state.


Creation of seven new districts

A tripartite talk involving a delegation each from the Manipur government, the UNC and the Ministry of Home Affairs was scheduled to be held in Delhi on November 15 on the current situation of the state but the state government did not send anyone to attend that meeting, Siro said.

In a gazette notification issued on December 9, the state government announced the creation of seven new districts for administrative convenience, taking the total number of districts in the state to 16.

The decision has sharply divided the state’s three main communities which are Meiteis, Nagas and Kukis. Though Meitei and Kuki groups have welcomed the move, the UNC has been protesting against it.

The UNC claim that the decision would bifurcate ancestral lands of Nagas in Manipur.

The Chief Minister said the move was aimed at addressing a long-standing demand of the majority Meitei community and the minority Kukis.

The ongoing economic blockade by UNC launched on November 1 against the state government’s proposed move to create the new districts of Jiribam and Sadar Hills has resulted in black marketing of essential goods.

Out of the nine districts of Manipur, four districts — Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishenpur — are valley districts, and the five rest — Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel and Churachandpur — are hill districts.

The five hill districts are tribal districts. Valley districts are smaller with a high density of population but hill districts are sparsely populated.

On Monday, the situation in Manipur remained tense with violence spreading to Senapati district where miscreants torched two vehicles even as the Chief Minister appealed for peace among different ethnic groups of the state.

Indefinite curfew continues to remain in force in Imphal East district where mobile data services were suspended since Sunday to prevent spread of rumours. This will be in force till December 25.
 
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http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...ts-continue/story-t96zAnowNowjPDKEC47QhP.html

Three government offices, including that of the office of the recently created Kamjong district, were burnt down by unidentified persons in Manipur, which is witnessing an economic blockade imposed by United Naga Council.

“Around five to six unidentified persons came around 3 am and torched the office of sub-divisional office (SDO),” newly appointed deputy commissioner Armstrong Pame of Kamjong district.

He said the office of the DC Kamjong was temporarily set up within the SDO office, as the newly built office of DC Kamjong was yet to be inaugurated.

In another incident, two rooms of mini Secretariat were also set on fire by unidentified persons in Ukhrul district in the wee hours today, a police officer said.

The current unrest began with the recent creation of seven new districts in the state, which the United Naga Council (UNC) claims will bifurcate ancestral lands of Nagas in the state.

The creation of the Kamjong district, which was carved out from the Ukhrul district, has been strongly protested by various Manipur-based Naga civil bodies including the Tangkhul Naga Long and UNC amongst others.

The UNC also imposed an indefinite economic blockade on the National Highways of Manipur since November 1 in protest, hampering supply of essential items, and leading to violent protests.
 
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Terrorists are terrorist...They will never change or have any humanity.
 
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The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju reviewing the situation in Manipur with the Chief Minister & senior officers of the state and Central Paramilitary forces, in Manipur on December 23, 2016.
s2016122495119.jpg


The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju briefing the media during his visit to Manipur on December 23, 2016.
s2016122495120.jpg
 
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http://indianexpress.com/article/in...-assam-rifles-dg-on-manipur-violence-4444708/

In the wake of the violence in Manipuar and paramilitary personnel being rushed to the state, the Assam Rifles chief today said the force is “prepared at all times” to deal with any situation. “We are prepared at all times to deal with any situation at any time,” Assam Rifles Director General Lt Gen Shokin Chauhan told reporters at the sideline of National Integration and Youth Leadership Camp here.

“The mere fact that Assam Rifles is in Manipur, it means we are assisting them (state government),” he said. Reacting to a query on the present situation in Manipur and the internal security in that state, he said, “Every situation is dynamic and once that situation comes up, we will deal with it…”.

Violence erupted Sunday last in Manipur following an economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council since November 1 on NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH 37 (Imphal-Jiribam) — that serve as lifelines for the landlocked Manipur. The Centre has rushed over 15,000 paramilitary personnel. The blockade was imposed to protest against the creation of seven new districts in areas inhabited by the tribal Nagas.

Indefinite curfew was clamped last Sunday in Imphal East district after a mob torched and vandalised 22 passenger vehicles on the Imphal-Ukhrul road, while an evening-to-dawn curfew was imposed the same day in Imphal West district.

Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang had sought the intervention of both the Centre and Manipur governments in securing the lives and property of Naga people in the Imphal valley.
 
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Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
26-December, 2016 16:02 IST
Sh Dharmendra Pradhan directs Oil Marketing Companies to take all possible remedial measures to ease out the situation in Manipur

In view of the economic blockade imposed by United Naga Council (UNC) on vehicles going to Manipur from 1.11.2016, supplies of POL products have been severely constrained. MOS (I/C), Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan today reviewed the stock position in the State of Manipur. He directed the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to take all possible remedial measures to ease out the situation.

Currently, the OMCs are moving supplies under heavy security protection via alternate route NH-35 (via Jiribum) after shifting supply base to Guwahati, from normal base at Tinsukia. So far, the OMCs have moved 8 (eight) convoys to Manipur which consisted of 975 TTs. Last convoy, which entered Manipur via Jiribum border on 25th December early morning, is now reaching Imphal. The OMCs and the Ministry are in constant touch with the State Government. The convoy movement is being done as per advice of State Government. Loaded TTs for the next convoy have already been lined up at Jiribum (Assam – Manipur border).
 
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http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...found-in-newspaper-office/article16951949.ece
A Chinese-made hand grenade was found in the office of the eveninger, PANDAM, here on Monday evening.

A note found with the bomb said it was a new year gift to the editors of the State. It was purportedly signed by the Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Council), a banned insurgent outfit.

A police bomb squad took away the grenade and neutralised it with a controlled explosion. Following the recovery of the bomb, editors of newspapers held an emergency meeting on Monday night and decided to leave their editorial space blank on Tuesday in protest.

The KCP(MC), however, denied any role in the incident. An FIR has been filed and a probe is under way.
 
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http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...hers-market/story-uAvs1HbyZpaq6rqeuBI6RN.html
_b69794ee-ccf6-11e6-840e-04a97aefc7ba.jpg


Manipur is reeling under an economic blockade for nearly two months now. But one place that seemingly has remained unaffected is Ima Keithel – Imphal’s iconic Mothers’ Market.

Located at Khwairamband Bazaar, Asia’s biggest all-women market still has the usual hustle and bustle with women shopkeepers haggling with customers to sell their wares.

“The blockade by United Naga Council (UNC), in protest against creation of new districts, hasn’t had any impact on my business,” said Lalita Meitei (60), who has been selling fish at the market for more than 30 years.

That is because the fish that she sells comes from local fisheries and the Lok Tak Lake—the largest freshwater lake in northeast India, located nearly 50 km away from Imphal.

The market, believed to have been set up nearly 500 years ago, is run entirely by women and sells a variety of wares from fish, vegetables, fruits to traditional snacks and local garments.

UNC’s blockade, which began on November 1, has led to a crisis of essential items including fuel. It has severely affected businesses in other parts of Imphal Valley and led to a steep rise in prices.

But since most of the products sold in the Ima Keithel are locally produced, the market hasn’t witnessed a slide in business.

“Since all the products I sell, like honey, ‘puja’ items, sweets made from puffed rice, sesame seeds and jaggery are produced locally, my business hasn’t suffered,” said 72-year-old Ibiembi Devi.

Prices of certain items like potatoes, onions and fruits which get supplied from outside the valley have, however, seen an increase.

“Usually the fruits I sell come from other states, but due to the blockade I am selling apples, oranges and grapes which arrived from Myanmar via the Moreh border, at prices higher than usual,” said Bimata Devi.

Vegetable vendor Thoibi Meitei said prices of most vegetables have increased by 10-20% percent, but the costliest item in her shop was potato, which is selling at Rs 100 per kilogram.

Considered the nerve centre of Manipur famed for its matriarchal society, the women from Ima Keithel have led movements against policies of the British in the early 20th century and against excesses by security forces in the state in the past years.

While women stall owners at Ima Keithel aren’t affected much by the economic blockade, the story is not the same in markets elsewhere in the state capital. The past two months have seen their businesses nosedive.

In Paona Bazar, located close to Ima Keithel, most shop and business establishments have recorded low sales or are waiting for the blockade to end to get fresh stock for customers.

“Businesses like mine where we rely almost entirely on goods coming to Imphal Valley from other states have been worst affected,” said Bimal Singh, a hardware store owner. Shelves are empty in many shops across the city.

The UNC says the creation of new districts hurts the interests of Nagas in the state and benefits other communities. It plans to continue with the blockade of two highways – NH2 and NH37 - connecting Imphal to other states, despite repeated appeals by the authorities to lift it.

To ease the situation, the authorities have begun to escort trucks, laden with goods and stranded on the highways, into Imphal under heavy police escort. Several hundred trucks reached the state capital on Monday, raising hopes of fresh supplies being available to replenish stores.

The supplies, though, remain sporadic and Manipur is worried about what the future holds. The women shopkeepers of Mothers’ Market, however, betray no such concern with business being as usual.
 
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