Insurgency / Manipur

IMPHAL, March 17: A 'commander-in-chief' of the underground Kangleipak Communist Party, KCP, Puthem Ibomcha, alias Leichil, was gunned down by some unidentified gunmen suspected to belong to a rival group in the early hours today at Yumnam Patlou, under Lamlai police station. According to a reliable source, Leichil and at least nine other members of his group were overpowered and abducted by a group of unidentified armed men from a camp at Ekou last Thursday evening at around 8 pm. Leichil was found dead with a bullet through his chest and his hand tied behind his back near a foothill at...

IMPHAL, March 17: The underground Revolutionary People's Front, rejecting the ceasefire announced by the Army and state government, has declared that the RPF would cease its activities only when there is clear-cut indication that 'colonial rule' would end and Manipur would regain its independence. A statement issued by the department of communication and publicity of the outfit said the people of Manipur cannot be taken off their guard by the 'crocodile tears' of a ceasefire or the possibility of talks under colonial rule. It added that in a fitting reply to the ceasefire announcement, PLA...

IMPHAL, March 17: The State Cabinet has decided to undertake a scheme on highway protection sooner or later to check activities of unlawful elements on the two national highways, the lifeline of a land-locked State like Manipur. The decision was taken in an emergency Cabinet meeting held at the office chamber of Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam. The meeting, while deliberating in detail about the burning of 15 oil tankers by underground activists on the National Highway-39 on March 8, also reviewed the ongoing law-and-order situation of the State after the announcement of the month-long...

IMPHAL, March 15: The banned National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) has clarified that they are not involved in the burning down of 15 oil tankers on the National Highway near Karong in Senapati district on Thursday. The deputy secretary of the NSCN(IM), Wabang, in a press statement, said: "We have nothing to do with the said incident," and described the incident as an unfortunate one. The incident which occurred in Senapati district led to the death a driver and 15 others sustained injuries when a group of well-armed youths attacked a convoy of 54 oil tankers. The statement further...

IMPHAL, March 16: Leaders of most political parties active in the State have endorsed the ongoing month long ceasefire declared by the Radhabinod Koijam-led People's Front government. A resolution to this effect was adopted at an all-party meeting held this afternoon at the Chief Minister's secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam. The meeting took an overview of the prolonged separatist movement in the State and the consequent law and order situation, and discussed possible ways and means for bringing back the 'misguided youths' to the national mainstream. While...

IMPHAL, March 15: In yet another suspected custodial death case, a 25-year-old Kuki farmer, son of a village chief in Sadar Hills, Senapati district was allegedly tortured to death by the security force personnel after being picked up along with another youth, from the Keithelmanbi area in the district recently. The deceased has been identified as Pouminlun Lhouvum, son of Seikholen, chief of Heibung village in Senapati district. The suspected custodial death case came to light when the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) took up the case following a complaint lodged by the deceased's...

IMPHAL, March 15: The Army is likely to extend its suspension of counter-insurgency operations for another 16 days. Though officially, the Army has not said anything on the matter, sources said the formal announcement on the extension may come tomorrow. General-officer-commanding of 57 mountain division, Maj. Gen. Iqbal Singh earlier declared the suspension of military operations against all militant outfits by the Army and Assam Rifles for 15 days beginning March 1 for Yaoshang (Holi) festival. The Radhabinod Koijam-led People's Front government had also announced a unilateral ceasefire with...

IMPHAL, March 16: The Army today kept mum on the possibility of extending the duration of the festival ceasefire in Manipur. However, sources said Army officials had already informed Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam about their intention to keep military operations suspended for some more time. General-officer-commanding, 57 Mountain Division, Maj. Gen. Iqbal Singh, had announced suspension of military operations by both the Army and the Assam Rifles for 15 days, beginning March 1. The goodwill gesture was made on account of the Yaoshang (Holi) festival. The 15-day period ended yesterday, but...

IMPHAL, March 14: The Union home ministry has agreed to release Rs 4 crore as security-related expenses to the Manipur government within this week. The ministry's clearance came after Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam requested reimbursement of expenses incurred on account of counter-insurgency operations. With the state facing financial crunch, the government has been diverting funds from other sources for maintenance of law and order and counter-insurgency operations. Koijam, during his recent New Delhi visit, urged the Centre to release funds for reimbursement to ease the problems being...

IMPHAL, March 14: The one month long unilateral ceasefire offered by the state government and the 15 day truce of the Army authority received a serious setback when suspected militants struck in a big way killing one Assam rifle jawan and one 7 month old infant in a bomb attack at Sangakpham, Chingmeirong under Heingang police station last evening. One Assam Rifles personnel and four civilians were also injured in the powerful bomb blast. The bomb was found planted near the gate of the newly constructed residence of 12 MR CO Lokendro. Reports said the bomb exploded with a powerful intensity as...