Manipur’s ‘Territorial Integrity’ Is a Risky Narrative
In his resignation letter, former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh urged the Central government to protect the state’s “territorial integrity.” And then days after President’s Rule was imposed, his BJP colleague Sambit Patra gave the same assurance. Both politicians seem to have ignored the risks of refusing to consider state reorganisation, which is not the same as separatism.
President’s Rule Alone Can’t Resolve Crisis in Manipur
Manipur’s Governor has imposed President’s Rule days after N. Biren Singh resigned as the Chief Minister – a belated official acknowledgment that the state government could not function according to constitutional provisions. The critical issue now is whether President’s Rule can ensure that Manipur will be able to operate within the constitutional framework within its maximum allowable period of three years.
Manipur Chief Minister’s Resignation: What Next? How Soon?
The February 9 resignation of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, which conveys little remorse or admission of failure, must at least be followed by swift and constitutionally sound action from Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to ensure that this potential first step toward resolving the prolonged conflict is effective.
Manipur: Prolonged, Preventable Suffering of Meiteis, Kuki-Zos, Nagas
What does India have in common with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, South Sudan and Ethiopia? Like these four African countries, India has been experiencing armed conflict between two ethnic groups in Manipur for over 21 months. However, unlike these nations, India possesses a significant capacity to control armed unrest, an area in which it can be considered “privileged.”
RSS Takes 8,000 ‘Vulnerable’ Dalit Students to Maha Kumbh
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is reportedly hosting around 8,000 students, who are underage, from Dalit and disadvantaged communities at the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The aim is to familiarise them with Hindu traditions and Indian culture, preventing them from becoming vulnerable to religious conversions. However, this move undermines the autonomy and sovereignty of the Dalit community and contravenes the Indian Constitution.
Manipur: Skyrocketing Cancer, Kidney Failure Deaths Amid Displaced People
More than 20 months after ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, over 31,900 displaced Kuki-Zo individuals remain in relief camps in two districts of the state. Newsreel Asia has learned that in one of the districts alone, at least 90 deaths from humanitarian causes have occurred, with cancer and kidney failure death rates far surpassing national or regional averages amid a lack of government intervention.
Manipur’s Women Describe CRPF ‘Assault’: Lost Eye, Head Trauma, Broken Bones
At least 75 tribal girls and women were injured, some grievously, in the Dec. 31 clash with personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Border Security Force (BSF) in Manipur, according to representatives of the Kuki-Zo Women Forum in Delhi. They accuse the central forces of violating operational guidelines by targeting women protesters above the waist. This “mistreatment,” they say, has left them disillusioned with the central authorities.
The Hidden Financial Perils of the Influencer Dream
In an era where social media stardom seems to promise instant wealth and fame, thousands of aspiring influencers are pouring their life savings into a vision that, for most, remains frustratingly out of reach. Behind the glossy facade of perfectly curated Instagram feeds and viral TikTok videos lies a sobering reality: the path to influencer success is often paved with serious financial troubles.
Manipur Autopsy Reports: 10 Kuki-Zos Killed in CRPF Firing
A thorough analysis of the autopsy reports for the 10 Kuki-Zo “village volunteers” killed in Manipur during an alleged gunbattle with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) suggests that the young men were shot from behind or from multiple directions and at close range. Some of them also sustained injuries that cannot solely be attributed to gunfire.
Autopsy Reports Indicate CRPF Misconduct in Manipur
Ten young men from the Kuki-Zo community in Manipur's Jiribam district recently lost their lives in what's been reported as a gunfight with personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The CRPF claims these individuals, labelled as “militants,” had attacked a local police station and a nearby CRPF camp. However, subsequent post-mortem reports, seen by Newsreel Asia, cast doubt on the legality and ethics of the actions taken by the paramilitary force.
Why Does Violence Surge in Manipur Whenever Its Chief Minister Faces Crisis?
Manipur is burning yet again, marking its third major escalation since the violence began in May 2023. The initial outbreak and the three subsequent flare-ups have almost seemed predictable, each coinciding with challenges to the leadership of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
Behind Alarmist Portrayals of Rising Islamism in Bangladesh
If you tune into mainstream media, especially in India, you might find yourself asking, “What the heck is going on in Bangladesh?” With that same question in mind, we left Delhi for Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. However, our six-day journey through Dhaka and Dinajpur left us feeling more hopeful than fearful about Bangladesh’s future.
Ladakh Spokesperson Opens Up About Fears of Remaining a UT Without Legislature
Having traveled 1,000 kilometers on foot, a group is now on a 21-day hunger strike in Delhi, advocating for statehood for their homeland, Ladakh, in the Himalayas in India. On the sixth day of their fast, Oct. 11, I spoke with Mehdi Shah, a key member of the group, to understand why they are so passionate about statehood and fearful of remaining a Union Territory after four years of direct governance by a distant central authority.
Did 900 ‘Kuki Militants’ Really Enter from Myanmar?
An “intelligence” report has emerged suggesting that over 900 “Kuki militants,” trained in advanced warfare techniques, have crossed from Myanmar into India and may target Meitei villages in Manipur around Sept. 28. It’s quite strange that this information was shared with the public at a press conference by a senior official, rather than being communicated discretely to the Indian Army, or at least the Assam Rifles stationed at the India-Myanmar border—who are better equipped than ordinary citizens to respond.
Drug Trade: Who are Manipur’s ‘Narco Terrorists’?
In the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, the label “narco-terrorists” has been employed in what seems to be a tacit attempt to justify brutal attacks on ordinary Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribal people, who are solely blamed for the state’s drug problems. This label also seems designed to hinder empathy for the tribal victims, both within the state and potentially beyond. However, at least five facts about the drug trade in this northeastern state create a different narrative—a narrative that neither any of the ethnic communities nor the ruling political party leaders would be comfortable with.
Question Marks Over Withdrawal of Assam Rifles in Manipur
The central government has reportedly directed two battalions of the Assam Rifles in the northeastern state of Manipur to relocate to the Jammu and Kashmir region for operations against militants. While it’s entirely within the rights of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to make such decisions, the ethnic, political and security landscape in Manipur, coupled with the timing of this move, raises three significant questions.
Is Crackdown on Smuggling Behind Anger Against Assam Rifles in Manipur?
In the violence-afflicted state of Manipur in India’s northeast, the Assam Rifles, a key central force, finds itself under intense scrutiny. It’s at the centre of a vocal campaign that accuses it of taking sides in the ethnic conflict between the majority Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo tribal groups. However, this claim might just be a smokescreen to divert attention from what could be the real issue: the Assam Rifle’s clampdown on rampant smuggling activities in the region, according to reliable sources in the security establishment Newsreel Asia has spoken with.
All Eyes on India’s Independent Media After Election Results
According to exit polls released on Saturday night, two days before the announcement of the results, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears to be headed for a victory. However, the actual results could still hold surprises, likely to be welcomed by many. Regardless of which party or coalition forms the government, the focus over the next five years should be on the media, with the expectation that news outlets will choose to remain, or become, independent again, advocating for the well-being of the ordinary citizen.
India Through the Mic of Community Radios
In a world yearning for journalism that is fair, precise and diverse, the role of on-the-ground community radio journalists who closely understand their people and challenges is indispensable. Every day, these extraordinary local reporters engage with their neighbours, friends and other residents recording issues faced by small-town India.
Three Reasons Why the Violence Persists in Manipur
A recent incident in Manipur’s Moreh town, where houses and schools were allegedly set ablaze by Manipur Police commandos, illuminates three primary reasons for the ongoing ethnic violence, which has persisted for over eight months. It also offers insights into the first steps required to cease the unrest.