Tensions have been high in Manipur's Kangpokpi district for the past week, leading to a violent attack on the office of the Superintendent of Police on Friday. Videos and images emerging from the town show armed individuals dressed in camouflage and damaged vehicles on the premises. The violence follows a confrontation between security forces and Kuki-Zo women in the district earlier in the week, which has sparked protests and demands for the removal of joint security forces stationed in the area. While the situation has been brought under control, locals estimate that 15 people from the mob were injured.
Congress questions PM Modi's priorities as ethnic violence rages on in Manipur and he embarks on a two-day visit to Kuwait, the first by an Indian PM in 43 years. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh highlights the discrepancy in the PM's actions as Manipur's fate remains uncertain.
A first of its kind incident in India, a Starlink dish and router have been seized from a Meitei insurgent group in Manipur. This raises concerns over the use of technology by insurgents to coordinate attacks and share tactical information during internet blackouts. While Starlink is not currently available in India, its presence in the hands of insurgents highlights the need for stricter regulation of internet services for national security.
The Manipur government has criticized Mizoram CM Lalduhoma for advocating for President's Rule in Manipur and claiming to form a separate Christian nation by carving out parts of Bangladesh, Myanmar, and India. The Manipur government has called for strict action against anyone promoting secessionist interests and has urged the Mizoram CM to focus on being a good neighbor rather than spreading hatred and division. The statement comes after the Mizoram CM's interview with a newspaper where he also called for reunification of the Zo people and questioned the effectiveness of border fencing.
Laishram Herojit, a low-level government worker, has appealed for the safe return of his family who went missing after an encounter between suspected Kuki insurgents and security forces in Manipur. Two women, including Herojit's wife, and an eight-year-old child are among the six people who went missing. Herojit has called for the release of his innocent family and has appealed to any group that may be holding them hostage to return them unharmed. He recalls getting a call from his wife during the violence, which later got disconnected, and a Bengali friend later informed him that they were taken away in a boat.
The Congress party has demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah's resignation in light of the escalating violence in Manipur and has also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the state before the Winter Session of Parliament begins. According to Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, the double engine government in Manipur has completely failed and PM Modi should first hold a meeting with an all-party delegation from Manipur before calling an all-party meeting at the national level. The Congress also accused PM Modi of outsourcing Manipur to the Home Minister and highlighted the PM's lack of meetings and communication with the state's leadership. Additionally, both the BJP and Congress have requested a 7-day extension from the Election Commission to address poll code violations.
Amid ongoing tension in Manipur, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation into multiple cases of violence, including the burning of houses and killing of civilians by alleged militants. The NIA will also look into the abduction and killing of 6 people from a displaced village and the attack on a CRPF post that resulted in the death of 10 alleged militants. The Ministry of Home Affairs has urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with security forces.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's accusation that he was showing a blank copy of the Constitution at his rallies by saying that it is "blank for him because he has never read it in his life." Speaking at rallies in Nandurbar and Nanded, Gandhi also criticized Modi's policies, including the recent loan waivers for the rich but not for the poor and farmers. He also took a dig at the prime minister for not visiting strife-torn Manipur and defended the red cover of the Constitution, saying it's the contents that matter.
The political turmoil in Manipur continues as the National People's Party, the second-largest ally of the ruling BJP-led NDA state government, withdraws its support citing failure to restore normalcy. While the BJP still holds a comfortable majority in the Assembly, this pullout represents a setback for the administration and signals further erosion of support. Amidst this, the Opposition Congress has also ramped up pressure on the government, with some even offering to resign from their MLA positions for a new mandate. All eyes are now on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has cancelled political programmes in Maharashtra to monitor the security situation in Manipur and has instructed for steps to restore peace.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with top officials to review the security situation in Manipur and directed them to take all necessary measures to maintain peace in the state. The meeting was held soon after Shah's return from Maharashtra, where he cancelled his election rallies. The move comes amid the volatile situation in Manipur due to ongoing ethnic strife and protests over the recovery of bodies of women and children.