Insurgency / Manipur

IMPHAL, January 30: Eight cadres of underground Kangleipak Communist Party, KCP, including its home in-charge, finance secretary and district commander, Imphal east, were killed by troops of the 17th Assam Rifles in an operation in the early hours this morning. Four weapons, along with at least five hand grenades were also recovered. Officials sources said a 17th AR column led by its commandant, Col Dilwar, launched operations in the Khongman Manjil area at around 4.30 this morning after learning of the presence of some activists of the KCP there. Eight activists of the outfit were killed...

IMPHAL, January 30: The fast-unto-death of 28-year-old Manipur girl Irom Sharmila against the infamous Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 entered the 87th day on Tuesday. Sharmila launched her agitation on November 5 last year demanding immediate removal of black laws from Manipur. The strike was a consequence of the killing of 10 innocent civilians including a national bravery awardee by the personnel of 8 Assam Rifles on November 2 last year. She is currently continuing her agitation inside the security ward of JN Hospital, Porompat in Imphal East district. Earlier, she was detained at...

NEW DELHI, January 28: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a show-cause notice to 32 Rashtriya Rifles regiment posted at Pangiawal in Manipur in a case of murder of a Kuki tribal in Northeast asking why a compensation of Rs one lakh be not given as interim relief to the victim, reports PTI. NHRC, which received a complaint from Kuki Movement for Human Rights, Manipur, against the Army's 32 Rashtriya Rifles posted at Churchandpur camp, for murderingone Haosinglhun Changsan, in its recent order gave four weeks time to the Army officials to respond. The Commission had earlier...

IMPHAL, January 27: The family members of Ningthoujam Sanjoy Singh who was found shot dead with another alleged member of PREPAK at Guwahati on January 24, has alleged that Sanjoy was innocent and was killed in custody. The alleged PREPAK man is identified as B Jasobanta of Wangjing. Family members said Sanjoy (23) son of Surendrakumar of Wahengbam Leikai was staying at a rented house near Roop Nagar and was waiting to pursue a computer course. Iterating that the youth is innocent, family members said that Sanjoy was picked up from his rented room in the adjoining night of January 22 and 23 by...

IMPHAL, January 25: Some unidentified armed UGs gunned down a jawan of the Border Security Force, BSF this rnorning at around 10:30 am at Churachandpur New bazar along the IB road. The deceased was identified as constable Jalgapei Devraji, 22, hailing from Andhra Pradesh. According to reliable sources, the deceased, along with other BSF jawans were out marketing at Churachandpur New Bazar in civil dress when the incident took place. The sources said some unidentified UGs shot him down at point blank range at his chest and head. He died on the spot. The sources added that his assailants managed...

IMPHAL, January 25: Security has been tightened in the entire greater Imphal area from this afternoon ahead of the 52nd Republic Day tomorrow, amidst the boycott called by a host of underground organisations. IRB, MR, CRPF and Manipur police personnel have been deployed at sensitive spots and to guard vital installations. Heavy patrolling by security personnel had already begun this morning all over the greater Imphal area. Security teams also conducted frisking of travelers and passersby at various points in the city and on major roads. It may be recalled that the Manipur People's Liberation...

IMPHAL, January 24: Large number of people in Jiribam, especially youths and male persons, have been fleeing their homes to Silchar and Jirighat of the neighbouring Assam since yesterday morning after they got wind that militants of the State are planning to attack the IRB post at Jiribam, according to sources. The sources also said the rumor, that the militants were planning to attack IRB post before the Republic Day, spread about among the residents of Jiribam town two days ago and the terrified residents preferred to run for cover to the neighbouring state. The sources further said most of...

GUWAHATI, January 24: Police said on Wednesday they had killed two separatist guerrillas including a key leader in the Northeastern city, Guwahati. Senior police official G.P. Singh told reporters that S.S. Lemba, "defence secretary" of the PREPAK group, and one of his lieutenants were killed in an encounter with police late on Tuesday night. The left-wing People's Revolutionary Army of Kangleipak (PREPAK) is fighting for independence of Manipur. It is one of the several ethnic groups in the mountainous region fighting for political autonomy or independence. Police said three guerrillas...

IMPHAL, January 23: Movie hall owners and employees are planning to challenge in court chief minister W. Nipamacha Singh's "threat" that his government would not allow cinema halls to screen Manipuri and English films if Hindi films are not screened there. Sources said the chief minister's remark has also irked local cable TV operators. The outlawed People's Liberation Army (PLA) banned all forms of entertainment, including films, music and satellite channels, in the Hindi language in Manipur from September last year. However, the outfit spared teaching of Hindi in educational institutions...

IMPHAL, January 23: The All Manipur Students' Union, AMSU has strongly objected to the proposal of the extension of ceasefire with the NSCN(IM) to other Naga inhabited areas of the Northeastern region. A memorandum to this effect was sent today to the Prime Minister, the Union Home minister and Chief minister of Manipur by Premananda Yumnam, general secretary. The question of ceasefire jurisdiction has been a bone of contention. Because the NSC (IM) is planning to create a separate state of Nagas comprising large areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Earlier these governments had...