• Women hold protest rally in Imphal as violence continues to grip Manipur

    North East
    Women hold protest rally in Imphal as violence continues to grip Manipur
    The violence has seen a new surge, with Kuki militants reportedly using long-range rockets in civilian areas...

    Digital Desk: Women in Imphal took to the streets in a powerful protest rally against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central Government on Sunday, as the ongoing crisis in Manipur continues to escalate more than a year after it began. The demonstrators, brandishing fire torches and chanting slogans, expressed their frustration with the government's inaction regarding the persistent violence that has gripped the state.

    Earlier in the day, Seram Rojesh, convener of the Delhi Meitei Coordinating Committee, vocally condemned the violence and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Manipur to personally address the crisis. His appeal underscores the increasing desperation for high-level intervention to restore peace.

    In response to the ongoing violence, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakhs to the family of a victim killed in the conflict. In a post on X, Singh detailed the gesture, stating, "Representatives of the JAC against the brutal killing of (L) Ngangbam (O) Surbala Devi by Kuki militants at Koutruk called on me at my Secretariat. An ex-gratia amount of Rs 10 lakhs has been handed over to the bereaved family. While no financial assistance can truly compensate for the life lost, it is our responsibility to stand by the affected families and offer them support in these difficult times."

    On the same day, Singh, along with 18 MLAs, met with Governor L Acharya to discuss the escalating violence. Among those present were Ministers Basanta, Ranjan, Susindro, Govindas, Awangbow Newmai, and Kashim Vashum, as well as MLAs Loken, Kongkhan Robindro, and Nalini.

    The violence has seen a new surge, with Kuki militants reportedly using long-range rockets in civilian areas, resulting in the death of a 78-year-old man, RK Rabei, and injuries to six others in Bishnupur. In response, the district magistrate has issued prohibitory orders to restrict gatherings of more than five people and the carrying of arms and ammunition.