Imphal, July 31,2023: A delegation of 21 MPs belonging to constituents of the INDIA alliance met Governor of Manipur Anusuiya Uikey at Raj Bhavan on Sunday and discussed the prevailing situation in the troubled North Eastern state.
The team, led by Congress Lok Sabha leader Adhir Chowdhury, is on a two day visit to Manipur since Saturday and went to various relief camps in Churachandpur, Bishnupur and Imphal districts where they met the violence affected people.
Chowdhury, while apprising the Governor of how the people in relief camps have been staying, said people are in pain and sorrow, Feeling of depression and fear is also common in their minds. Almost all sections of society including women, children and students are affected and it is high time to take concrete steps to end the ongoing conflict.
It is not only a problem of law and order but an ethnic conflict which needs special attention and therefore, an appropriate step to end the conflict and to remove hatred among the communities have to be initiated to restore peace and normalcy in the state, the delegates said as they submitted a memorandum to the Governor and requested for effective measures to restore peace and harmony and justice. In order to bring peace and harmony, rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected persons must be urgently done, they said.
The Governor welcomed the team for their visit to Manipur and appreciated their efforts for the restoration of peace and normalcy. The Governor informed them that she is fully aware of the problems faced by the people consequent upon her visit to different relief camps in both the hills and valley districts.
Both the Central and State governments are making relentless efforts to contain the situation and bring peace and normalcy at the earliest and security forces are also discharging their responsibilities to save the people. She said, to bridge the mistrust between the two communities, hatred among them has to be removed and therefore all stakeholders should work in this direction peacefully.
The Governor appealed to the delegates to extend their cooperation to restore peace and tranquillity through a peaceful dialogue with the representatives of Civil Society Organisations of both the communities to maintain the status quo ante of the age old tradition of peaceful co-existence.
Srinagar, July 29,2023: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday attended the 10th Muharram procession in Srinagar’s old city and distributed refreshments among the mourners, officials said.
Sinha joined the Zuljinah procession at Botakadal, downtown area of Srinagar.
“I pay my tributes to Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions. Their sacrifice for righteousness and greater good of humankind serves as a beacon light for the world,” the Lt Governor said.
The administration has made necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of the procession from Botakadal to Imambargah Zadibal. Senior civil and police officials including Additional Director General of Police Kashmir Vijay Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bhiduri, Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar Rakesh Balwal, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Muhammad Aijaz Asad and other officials accompanied Sinha.
The Lt Governor also offered Chaddar to Zuljinah and served refreshments among mourners on the occasion.
Large number of Shia mourners joined the 10th Muharram procession and carried religious banners and raised religious slogans as it passed through the old city.
Earlier, on July 27, J&K government allowed the 8th Muharram procession on the traditional route, from Guru Bazar to Dalgate, Srinagar after 34 years. After the peaceful conduct of the Muharram procession on Thursday, government called it a “testimony to change and normalcy in J&K.”
The Muharram procession is taken out by Shia Muslims around the world to remember Imam Hussain, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who was killed along with his companions in the battle of Karbala 1,400 years ago .
Jammu, July 26,2023: Stating that the term of Panchayat polls is ending this year, newly appointed State Election Commissioner (SEC), B R Sharma on Tuesday said that the elections to constitute the grass root body (Panchayat Polls) are expected to be held in November-December this year.
“The five-year term of Panchayats is ending by the end of this year, which earlier ended in 2018 and elections were held in January 2019 to restore democracy at the grass root level,” Sharma told a news channel.
He said, “we have to conduct the elections as per the schedule, which is expected to be conducted in November-December this year.”
The SEC said that his predecessors have done a lot of work and the voter list till January 2023 is ready, “if anybody has been left out or not included into the list, a special summary revision will also be conducted. Rest, all necessary arrangements are on track.”
Imphal, July 25,2023: Manipur government has asked the Assam Rifles and state machinery to take biometrics and push back 718 Myanmar illegal immigrants who came to Manipur during July.
Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi said in a press statement that Headquarters 28 Sector Assam Rifles informed that 718 fresh refugees crossed the Indo-Meridian Border (IMB) and entered New Lajang, Chandel District, on July 23 due to the ongoing clashes at Khampat, Myanmar.
The State Government had clearly informed the Assam Rifles, being the Border Guarding Force, to take strict action to prevent entry of Myanmar nationals into Manipur on any ground without valid visas or travel documents as per the instruction of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, the Chief Secretary said.
The State Government views the fresh illegal entry of 718 refugees very seriously and with utmost sensitivity as the same may have international ramifications, particularly in view of the ongoing law and order issues, the statement said.
The State Government has sought a detailed report from the Assam Rifles Authority to clarify the facts and compelling circumstances or reasons as to why and how these 718 Myanmar nationals were allowed to enter India in Chandel District without proper travel documents, along with strict advice to push back those 718 illegal Myanmar nationals immediately.
The Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Chandel District have biometrics and photographs of all such persons.
Manipur Police, during a recent drive, found large numbers of Myanmar citizens in Churachandpur district, and ten Myanmar citizens were found at Churachandpur hospital. Most of the Myanmar citizens move towards Churachandpur district as they belong to the same ethnic group and speak the same language.
Lucknow, July 24,2023: In a major crackdown the Anti Terror Squad of Uttar Pradesh police on Monday arrested 74 Rohingya, including 55 men, 14 women and 5 children, living illegally in six districts of the state, an official spokesman said here.
The spokesman said that as per the directives of the UP government and Director General of Police (DGP) the ATS launched a state-wide campaign against Rohingyas living illegally in the state.
“Information was being received by the ATS that Rohingyas were settling in different districts of UP after crossing the border illegally,” he said.
He said that the information was verified by the district police and field units ATS.
“After verification a campaign was launched with the assistance of the district police in which 74 Rohingyas, residing illegally in the state, were arrested,” he said.
The spokesman said that a maximum of 31 Rohingyas, including 29 men and 2 women were arrested from Mathura.
Similarly, 17 Rohingyas, including 7 men and 10 women, were arrested from Aligarh. 16 Rohingya, including 12 men, a woman, 2 male children and a female child were arrested in Hapur,” he said.
He said that while 2 men were arrested from Saharanpur, 2 men, a boy and a girl were arrested in Meerut.
“Four Rohingyas, including a woman, were arrested from Ghaziabad. Legal action is being taken against the arrested Rohingyas after lodging cases under relevant section