Insurgency / Manipur

Imphal, Jan. 23: The Jiribam jail does not have a single prisoner and the court building is under lock and key for the past several years. It would appear that Manipur?s outback is the most peaceful place on earth.

The truth is shocking: the entire Jiribam subdivision, bordering Assam?s Cachar district, has been left to fend for itself as armed militants have a free run in the wild west of the state.

The court of magistrates, civil judge (junior) division, established in 1996, was abandoned a couple of years back. In the absence of a functioning court, the Jiribam sub-jail is naturally...

Imphal, Jan. 22: All Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns in Manipur and the adjoining states have been shut down following the abduction of FCI deputy director Sadashivam by suspected militants along the Imphal-Moreh route yesterday.

The FCI has suspended all operations in the town indefinitely in protest against the incident.

Director-general of police S. Bimolchandra Singh told The Telegraph today that the United Kuki Liberation Front might be behind the kidnapping. However, there has been no demand for ransom, he added.

The nine persons were waylaid yesterday while travelling in two...

New Delhi, Jan. 22: The NSCN (I-M) today appeared peeved at Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh?s claim that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had assured him of not altering the state?s boundary, seeking a clarification from New Delhi on the issue.

However, the talks, which were extended by a day, remained unaffected.

The fact that the negotiations did not fall through was a breather for both sides, indicating that they were committed to a negotiated settlement. The NSCN (I-M) leaders, however, were not at all charitable to Ibobi Singh?s claim on the Prime Minister?s assurance.

Real...

NEW DELHI, Jan 22 ? As the Centre-NSCN (I-M) peace talks resumed on Tuesday, Manipur upped the ante demanding a Constitutional amendment to protect its territory even though Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee assured an all-party delegation from the state that its boundaries would not be affected in search for a solution to the vexed Naga problem, reports PTI. Chief Minister of Manipur Okram Ibobi Singh, who led the delegation to Vajpayee, told newsmen later that the Prime Minister has assured them that the territorial integrity of Manipur would remain unaltered while discussing a solution to...

NEW DELHI, Jan 22 ? Rattled by the posturing of the NSCN(I-M) leaders the Manipur Government is likely to make major concessions for the development of its Naga-dominated hill districts, even as Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi Singh said his Government was open to the idea of sitting across the table with the NSCN(I-M) to discuss the problem if the Union Government allows. But the Chief Minister added in the same breath that any such meeting would possible only the I-M leaders drop the demand for greater Nagaland.

The Chief Minister accompanied by a delegation of all political parties is...

Imphal, Jan. 21: The BSF today rescued eight persons, including senior officials of the Food Corporation of India, after a shootout with gunmen on the Imphal-Moreh road while they were speeding towards the Indo-Myanmar border town.

Official sources said nine persons were abducted by unidentified men while they were on their way to Moreh in two jeeps to inspect the site for the construction of a food and civil supplies godown. The gunmen intercepted the vehicles at Khongkham, 4 km from Moreh, at 10.30 am.

On receiving information about the abduction, the BSF post at Khongkhang rushed its...

Imphal, January 21: The personnel of the border security forces have rescued eight individuals including senior officials of the food corporation of India from the clutches of the kidnappers near Khongkhang along the Imphal Moreh road this afternoon. However, deputy director of FCI identified as Sadashivam is yet to be rescued from the hands of the kidnappers, sources added. According to Deputy Inspector General of BSF Nagaland and Manipur sector P K Misra, tie personnel of 37 battalion post located at Khongkhang is still chasing the militants and trying their best to rescue Sadashivam. The...

Imphal, January 21: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Tuesday assured an all-party delegation from Manipur that the boundaries of the state will not be affected in the wake of the ongoing peace talks between Centre and Nagaland. The delegation leader and Chief Minister of Manipur Okram Ibobi Singh told newsmen that this assurance was given when the team met Vajpayee to discuss the impact of the talks on the state. Singh said Manipur also wanted a constitutional amendment for the maintenance of territorial integrity of the state. "We welcome Centre's peace talks with Nagaland but the...

IMPHAL, Jan 21 ? The oldest regional political party in Manipur, Manipur Peoples? Party (mpp) and ruling Secular Progressive Front (spf) alliance partner Democratic Peoples? Party (dpp) have cautioned the Government of India against adopting measures detrimental to the interests of the people of Manipur.

MPP president and Opposition leader O Joy Singh and party leader Dr Nimaichand Luwang, addressing media-persons at the party office on Monday, said the Centre should accord maximum respect to the State Assembly resolution on territorial integrity of Manipur.

Stating that in a democratic...

Kohima, Jan. 18: The Border Security Force (BSF) will be retained in Nagaland and Manipur for the time being though there were plans to relocate the companies. This decision has been taken because of the tension simmering in Manipur. Earlier, it was planned to move the BSF out of the two states by December last year.

?There had been plans but they have been shelved, at least till April,? BSF director-general P.K. Mishra told The Telegraph on Friday. Mishra said due to the tense situation in Manipur, the forces would be staying put. ?Even if they move out, it will be limited to only one or two...