Today I met in Delhi two Professors of a University in Manipur. They told me they are here in Delhi because their University is closed down sine die.due to the violence in Manipur.
Since I did not know what exactly happened in Manipur, I requested them to explain to me. They said they will do so on condition that their names be not disclosed. This is what they said : In Manipur most people who live in the plains are Hindus, who support the BJP Govt of Manipur whose Chief Minister is Biren Singh. On the other hand, the people living in the hills around the plains in Manipur are Nagas and Kukis who are Christians, and are treated as Scheduled Tribes (STs ).
The Meiteis are economically better off as compared to Nagas and Kukis, and are better educated and have greater political representation in the state assembly. There is a law in the state of Manipur which says that Meiteis cannot buy land in the hills, which are reserved for STs i.e. Nagas and Kukis. Also, certain seats in educational institutions and govt jobs are reserved for the STs.
The trouble began when a single judge, the Acting Chief Justice of Manipur High Court, Justice Muralidaran passed an order that the state govt should consider including Meiteis among the Scheduled Tribes
An appeal was filed in the Supreme Court against this order, but the Supreme Court, while expressing its displeasure, did not stay the order, perhaps because an appeal had been filed against it before a two judge bench of the High Court, where it is pending.
Justice Muralidaran’s order raised an apprehension in the minds of the Kukis and Nagas that their lands in the hills will be grabbed by Meiteis, and that Meiteis will get a share in admissions to educational institutions and govt jobs reserved for STs like Kukis and Nagas.
Consequently Kukis and Nagas started an agitation, which led to violence, including burning of churches, rape of women, two Kuki women paraded naked, and killing of 142 people.
In my opinion 3 steps must immediately be taken to remedy the situation :
(1). The Manipur govt must be dismissed, and the state be placed under Central rule, as it is a clear case where Article 356 of the Constitution should be invoked.
Article 356 states :
” If the President, on receipt of report from the Governor of the State or otherwise, is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with he provisions of this Constitution, the President may be Proclamation
(a) assume to himself all or any of the functions of the Government of the State and all or any of the powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor or any body or authority in the State other than the Legislature of the State;
(b) declare that the powers of the Legislature of the State shall be exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament ”
It is obvious that the government of Manipur is unable to carry on functioning in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution since it has taken a partisan approach to side with the Meiteis, and against the Kukis and Nagas, and is unable to control the ethnic violence.
(2) Police officers who sided with Meiteis or turned a Nelson’s eye to the violence must immediately be suspended and charge sheeted
(3) A petition should immediately be filed before the National Human Rights Commission, Delhi
Devastating aftermath of May 2023 violence leaves Manipur mourning and seeking dignity for the deceased.
Manipur, India: In the wake of the violent outbreak that struck Manipur on 3rd May 2023, the state is grappling with unimaginable devastation. With thousands left displaced and homes destroyed, the heart-wrenching loss of hundreds of lives has now given rise to a haunting problem – numerous decaying dead bodies lying unidentified and unclaimed in various mortuaries across the region. In a desperate plea for help, leaders and representatives have turned to Shri Amit Shah, the Hon’ble Home Minister, urging for immediate intervention to address this distressing situation.
The ongoing violence has taken a heavy toll on the people of Manipur, leaving them shattered and mourning for their loved ones. The lack of adequate cold storage facilities in hospitals has added to the anguish, as grieving families find themselves unable to give their departed relatives a dignified resting place.
Annie Raja, General Secretary, and Nisha Siddhu, National Secretary, have jointly submitted an urgent appeal to Shri Amit Shah, seeking his prompt attention to the critical matters at hand.
The appeal calls for the immediate constitution of a Medical Board, to be led by an independent forensic expert from a reputed medical institute. The board’s crucial task would involve conducting post-mortems on all deceased individuals, including the unidentified bodies lying in the mortuaries. Time is of the essence, as any delay may lead to the loss or destruction of vital evidence.
Another pressing concern highlighted in the appeal is the need for adequate cold storage facilities in hospitals across Manipur. This will provide the deceased with a dignified resting place, allowing their grieving families to mourn and perform the last rites with the respect and solemnity they deserve.
One of the most heartrending issues faced by families in Manipur is the inability to identify and claim the bodies of missing and presumed dead individuals. The appeal requests the State to designate an officer who can be contacted to facilitate escorted visits for these families to the mortuaries. This process would aid in identification and enable the compassionate handover of the deceased bodies.
Additionally, the appeal urges for arrangements to be made to ensure the safe passage of the bereaved families to Manipur. This would enable them to claim the bodies of their loved ones swiftly and safely, allowing them the opportunity to perform the necessary last rites with dignity and respect.
The situation in Manipur has evoked deep concern among citizens and leaders alike, making the immediate attention of the Home Minister paramount. The plea for intervention has been met with hope that the government will swiftly address the pressing matters and extend a compassionate hand to the grieving families.
As the nation watches, the people of Manipur yearn for a resolution that will bring solace and closure to their sorrowful hearts. The appeal remains an urgent call for action, and it is anticipated that the Hon’ble Home Minister will respond promptly to provide much-needed relief and support to the affected communities.
Time is of the essence, and a compassionate response from the highest authority will undoubtedly offer some comfort to the grieving families who have endured immeasurable pain in these trying times.
Actual Letter is below :
To,
Shri Amit Shah
Hon’ble Home Minister
Government of India
North Block, New Delhi – 110001
Urgent intervention on the several decaying dead bodies reported to be lying unidentified and unclaimed in sevemortuaries in Manipur
Hon’ble Home Minister,
The outbreak of violence in Manipur on 3 May 2023 has resulted in unimaginable devastation, leaving thousands displaced and homeless, hundreds dead and numerous decaying dead bodies lying unclaimed in several mortuaries across Manipur since first week of May 2023.
The relentless violence that has engulfed Manipur has caused immense suffering to the people of the state. Families have been torn apart, homes destroyed, and the loss of lives has left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of the State. The lack of cold storage facilities in hospitals further exacerbates the anguish of grieving families who are unable to bury their loved ones to rest with dignity.
In light of this grievous situation, we appeal for your immediate intervention to address the following urgent matters:
Constitution of a Medical Board: Immediate constitution of a Medical Board headed by an independent forensic expert from a reputed medical institute to conduct post- mortem on the dead including the unidentified dead bodies lying in the morgues before pieces of evidence are destroyed.
Provision of Cold Storage Facilities: We urge you to allocate the necessary resources to ensure that hospitals in Manipur have access to adequate cold storage facilities. It is essential to provide a dignified resting place for the deceased, allowing their families to mourn and perform the last rites with the respect and solemnity they deserve.
Designate an Officer for identification of dead bodies: Families of persons who are missing and feared dead are unable to reach the mortuaries. The State may designate an officer who can be contacted and who will facilitate visits by such families to mortuaries under escort/protection and enable the process of identification and handing over of dead bodies.
Safe Passage for Families: Ensure safe passage of the families of the deceased to Manipur, enabling them to claim the bodies of their loved ones and perform the necessary and dignified last rites. It is of significant importance that the bereaved families have the opportunity to bid farewell to their loved ones swiftly and safely and arranged by the State.
On 11th July 2023, Karwan-e-Mohabbat conducted a film screening and a panel discussion on the theme ‘Mazhab Nahi Sikhata…Weaponising Religion: Maharashtra, Manipur, Uttarakhand, and Ram Navami Procession” at Jawahar Bhawan Auditorium, Dr Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi from 5:30 pm onwards.
In light of the instances of hate violence and hate speeches across different states, a film screening and panel discussion was organised by the campaign for conscience and solidarity Karwan-e-Mohabbat at Jawahar Bhawan auditorium in New Delhi to reflect on this phenomenon and the legal and political challenges that marginalised groups and progressive sections have to face in these times.
On this occasion a documentary film shot and directed by Karwan Media Fellow Imaad-ul-Hasan on the series of hate speeches delivered at more than 60 rallies organised by a coalition of right wing hindutva groups named Sakal Hindu Samaj in the last few months, and the ensuing communal violence. The panel discussion was moderated by peace worker and author Dr Harsh Mander. The panel consisted of distinguished academicians, civil society activists and journalists including Prof Neera Chandhoke, Prof Apoorvanand, retired civil servant Amitabha Pandey, prominent journalist Anmol Pritam, senior activist from Manipur Babloo Loitongbam Singh, and Karwan e Mohabbat media fellow Imaad ul Hasan.
The event began with a welcome address by veteran journalist and human rights activist John Dayal. He noted that after the Covid-19 pandemic, the Karwan campaign has finally been able to resume its journey to corners of the country where instances of hate violence are taking place to express their solidarity and discover truths about these incidents. He also made a call for young people to join them on Karwan’s journeys.
A short film ‘Mazhab’ by the Karwan Team was screened to anchor the secular, democratic and harmonious spirit of the Karwan-e-Mohabbat movement.
A documentary film Maharashtra In the Wake of Hate created by young filmmaker Imaad ul Hasan was previewed which presented some of the hate speeches in the 60 rallies organised recently by the Sakal Hindu Samaj in Maharashtra. It showcased the brutality of the violence that occurred as a consequence of these speeches, administrative complicity and police inaction in these cases. The film also featured analyses by journalists, lawyers, and jurists who have closely worked on the issue of hate speeches and the related violence.
Dr Harsh Mander reflected on the film and the phenomenon of hate speeches and connected these instances to the rise of right-wing ideology in the past few years across states. He invited Babloo Lointongbam Singh, an anthropologist and senior peace activist from Manipur, and Anmol Pritam, a journalist with the Newslaundry who has extensively documented the politics behind the instances of ‘Love Jihad’ in Uttarakhand, to give their assessment of these realities in the two states.
Babloo Loitongbam Singh, sharing his experiences from the on-ground violence in Manipur, explained the history of the conflicts among the Nagas, the Kukis, and the Meiteis; and how each of these groups has been used by the Indian state to curb the uprisings and insurgency led by the other groups. He stated that the exception that was the extremist violent militancy in the North-East of India and the state of Jammu & Kashmir, has been normalised across the country by the present regime at the centre. He revealed that “Manipuris amount to 0.4 per cent of India’s population but 64 per cent Manipuris have been booked under UAPA even before the BJP government came to power.”. He criticised the silence of state authorities and said, “in Europe, the Manipur situation is being compared to what is happening in Syria and similar conflicted areas across the world. The European Parliament is ready to pass a resolution to help Manipur but the Prime Minister of India has nothing to say.” Loitongbam further talked about the elimination of civil societies in Manipur. He said that the vacuum created by the absence of civil societies is being filled by the right-wing religious groups who have taken over the public sphere and have complete impunity to carry out acts of violence.
Journalist Anmol Pritam recounted his experiences from reporting on ground in Uttarakhand and highlighted the processes of manufacturing communal tensions in the state. Anmol narrated how a local incident of kidnapping was manipulated and turned into a campaign against ‘Love Jihad’ by local Hindu groups because one of the accused was a Muslim. It led to an economic boycott and the targeting of Muslim traders and their shops by the local trade association who enjoy support from local BJP leaders. Anmol also spoke of the role of Swami Darshan Bharti, founder of the right wing hindutva organisation Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan in fomenting hate and violence against the Muslim community in Purola town of Uttarakhand. He stated, “nearly 40 to 45 Muslim families left the village after their shops were attacked and there are merely 300-400 Muslim families living in the area. Local newspapers and media persons also played an important role to agitate the Hindu population by publishing news reports about Love Jihad.”
Dr Mander, based on his work and experiences from Germany, noted that “the Holocaust didn’t begin in gas chambers, it began with hate speech” while extending his gratitude to Babloo, Anmol and Imaad for sharing their brave testimonies of how the politics of today is using religion and ethnicity to create deep divides in our society. He then urged panellists Amitabha Pande, Apoorvanand and Neera Chandoke for their perspectives on these instances.
Amitabha Pande, retired IAS officer, highlighted the larger implications of hate speech and how it locates itself in the larger right-wing Hindutva ideological framework. He spoke of the shared cultural history of hindu-muslim relations in the Indian subcontinent and how we have come to the times today where the Hindu identity is being defined in terms of its hatred of the Muslims. He claimed that communal hate has been the most dominant dimension of the current regimes, seeped into the institution, laws, personnel etc., completely different from earlier versions of hate – embedded in governance and public policy. He also mentioned that violence today is deliberate and planned, arguing that “the Hindu of today is a creature of hindutva and Hindutva is the religion of the nation state. Muslims as well as all other groups that stand against the injustices of the ruling government are the convenient other.” He urged civil society groups and progressive citizenry to interrogate ourselves in order to create a radically different discourse.
Apoorvanand, Professor of Hindi Literature at the University of Delhi, began with sharing how they moved to the Supreme Court and then subsequently on its instructions to the Uttarakhand High Court with a petition urging the cancellation of the Mahapanchayat scheduled to be organised on June 15 this year by the hindutva groups with a stated objective to boycott and evict the muslim community from the town of Purola. Prof Apoorvanand emphasised that the hate violence being orchestrated in Indian society today is structural and organised. In his view, this is being wilfully ignored by the judiciary. Through various instances, he illustrated the ongoing psycho-social pogrom against the Indian muslims by various state and non-state actors. Significantly, he pointed out, it is only an equal rule of law in the country that can ensure that the prejudices of the majority do not materialise into hate violence against the minorities.
Neera Chandhoke, former Professor of Political Science at University of Delhi, began with an illustration from Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar, evoking the figure of the popular tyrant. Prof Chandhoke underlined the crucial point that democracy is possible only if there are responsible citizens. She said that in today’s politics of spectacles we are becoming well versed into a shared language of hatred which has turned us from citizens to mere subjects that are a mute audience to the performance of violent communal spectacles. She opined that the politics of state shapes the state of politics in the society.
The panel discussion concluded with questions and comments from the audience, which included students, scholars, persons from the media and civil society groups, and concluding remarks from the panellists.
Vote of thanks was delivered by Mohd Aamir Khan, Karwan-e-Mohabbat.
New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday blamed the “double engine government” of the BJP at the Centre as well as in Manipur for allegedly failing to prevent the ethnic violence in the state which led to the loss of many lives.
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the party is deeply concerned over the tragedy in Manipur and alleged that the situation proves the gross “callousness, negligence and casualness” of the state government and the “inactivity” of the central government.
Speaking at a press conference here, he said the basic question is that we are very concerned at the hateful, hostile and horrid conditions we find in Manipur, adding that the sensitive north-eastern border state is up in flames.
“It reflects the state government’s and the central government’s ‘double engine lawlessness’, ‘double engine statelessness’ and ‘double engine shamelessness’. It shows that Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government is badly devoid of qualities of statecraft, stateliness, and statesmanship.
“It has led to a sad, sordid saga of provoked communities and castes against each other with such a vital and sensitive state up in flames. How did it happen… one major contributory factor, little noticed, has emerged from yesterday’s hearing in the Supreme Court,” he told reporters.
Violent clashes broke out in the northeastern state after a Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in 10 hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, leading to the deaths of at least 54 people. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal valley. Tribals Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 per cent of the population and live in the hill districts.
The clashes were preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land which had led to a series of smaller agitations since February this year.
Singhvi said the apex court put a very candid question on why the state government did not tell the High Court of a 23-year-old judgment of the constitution bench of the Supreme Court that such notifications and approvals, such inclusions of STs cannot be done by state government or state high courts and can only be done by a presidential notification.
“Why was this not the preliminary objection of the state government in the course of the hearing in the Manipur High Court? The first sentence from their mouth ought to have been that this proceeding should not go on, because we, the State Government have no such power, no such jurisdiction. It is settled in a two-and-half decades ago judgement.
“If this was not so, does it not reflect the utter callousness, casualness, possibly the complicity of the state government? Who will be accountable for that? Who will be accountable for this gross negligence, resulting in the loss of precious lives and this great alarming situation in Manipur?” Singhvi asked.
The Congress leader further said that while the central government has brought several ST-related bills in the last two sessions of Parliament, including during the winter and budget sessions, but no attention was paid to the Manipur ST issue.
“If so many other bills or STs are coming, surely this should have been addressed. Who is responsible for this action?” he asked.
“Clearly responsible for this inaction leading to dangerous consequences… is the failure of the ‘double engine sarkar’. It is a ‘double engine’ sarkari failure,” he asserted.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, citing a report quoting the chief justice of India, said, “In light of what the CJI has said — it is astonishing what a single judge of the Manipur High Court did, triggering such a human tragedy!”.
“But the ideological brotherhood, its henchman in Manipur, and his masters at the Centre cannot escape their responsibility,” he said on Twitter.
Ramesh cited the news report that quoted the CJI saying that the high court does not have the power to direct changes in the Scheduled Tribes list and asked why a constitution bench verdict of 2000 noting that courts do not have power to “add or subtract” the ST list was not “shown” to the Manipur High Court.
Concerned over the huge loss of life and property, the Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre and the Manipur government to step up relief and rehabilitation efforts for those hit by the violence in the north-eastern state, besides protecting places of worship, many of which were targeted during the mayhem.
Manipur Chief Minister Singh said 60 people have been killed, 231 injured and 1,700 houses, including religious places, burnt in the violence.
New Delhi: Haryana native Sewak Ram, pursuing BTech at a leading engineering college in Imphal, heaved a sigh of relief after landing in Delhi from violence-hit Manipur on Tuesday.
“We felt scared, but the campus of our college made us feel safe. We had food and water. But, being confined inside the campus for about five days reminded us about the Covid-induced lockdown,” Ram said.
He hugged his college mate at the airport here before they parted on the way to their homes.
Ram and a few other students from Haryana, all pursuing BTech degree at Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Manipur, reached the national capital on Tuesday evening after being evacuated from the northeastern state which has been rocked by ethnic violence since May 3.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had on Monday said that 60 people were killed, 231 injured and 1,700 houses including religious places burnt in the violence that sparked concerns among family members of students from various states studying in that state.
Some of the evacuees, all in their early 20s, PTI spoke to at the Delhi airport said the Harayana government “made arrangements for their safe return” after students and parents reached out to it, in the wake of the violence.
“Situation is difficult in villages and inner areas, but Imphal city is safer. Police provided us everything,” Ram told PTI.
He said many students of IIIT-Manipur hailing from other states have also been evacuated by their respective state governments.
More than 140 students from Bihar were on Tuesday brought back from Manipur. Scenes of rejoicing were witnessed at Patna airport as they returned safely to their home state.
According to an official, a special flight commissioned by the Nitish Kumar government carried 142 students from Bihar, besides another 21 from the neighbouring state of Jharkhand.
In Delhi, while some evacuees made their way to their homes in Haryana by themselves, harried parents of some had come to the airport to take them home, after waiting anxiously for the flight from Imphal to land.
Panipat native Lakshya, a first-year student of BTech, went home accompanied by his parents.
“He has not eaten anything since morning. But I am just happy that my child is back,” Lakshya’s mother said, as they wheeled their way out of the airport.
Lakshya said in the last several days situation was “not good” and “I am glad we are out of that situation”.
Arvind Pathak of Gurugram was also among the evacuees who reached Delhi along with his fellow students of the engineering college.
“Earlier, situation in Manipur was quite bad, now it is a bit better. We were all together in the campus, so we didn’t feel much fear. Our teachers also comforted us,” he said.
The situation across violence-hit Manipur is improving, with no fresh reports of any untoward incident, while curfew has been relaxed in all the 11 districts where it was clamped, officials said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday said more than 300 students from the state, who were stranded in violence-hit Manipur, were brought back in the last few days.
Sangma also said his government had on Monday arranged for a special flight on the Imphal-Shillong route to evacuate students stuck in the trouble-torn state.
Violent clashes broke out in Manipur after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the 10 hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The clashes took place between the tribals living in the Manipur hills and the majority Meitei community residing in the Imphal Valley. Over 23,000 people have been rescued and sheltered in military garrisons and relief camps.
Hyderabad: In solidarity with violence-hit Manipur, the Hyderabad Solidarity Forum gathered near the Nampally Exhibition Grounds on Tuesday wearing black masks and holding placards.
The Hyderabad Solidarity Forum released a statement describing the situation in Manipur as the “perfect example” of a culture fed with divisive politics and religious hate.
“Fuelled by the rampant spread of divisive communal narratives, such violence has taken the shape of riots, evictions, murder, calls to genocide, confiscation of lands and a plethora of other tactics deployed by dominant majority communities who have vested economic and political interests. Mainstream narratives of these incidents ensure that the voices and the realities of the marginalised are silenced,” the press noted read.
Condemning the ethnic violence that left 60 dead, and more than 23,000 displaced across the state, the Hyderabad Solidarity Forum’s statement demanded collective action against violence fed with hate.
“We take a collective stance against such violence, oppression and divisive narratives fuelled by false information. We aim to revive the spirit of unity, understanding, goodwill and peace that our country so desperately needs. We demand the cessation of violence in the state and the recognition of the rights of the minority communities to their lands,” the statement read.
SRINAGAR: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the centre and the state of Manipur to take the required actions to improve security and provide aid and rehabilitation to those affected by ethnic violence in the northeastern state. Besides, the apex court asked the Centre and the Manipur government to file a status report in ten days and posted the matter for hearing on May 17.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said the top court is concerned deeply about the loss of life and property because of the violence in the state. “Our immediate goal is to protect, rescue, and rehabilitate people,” the Supreme Court observed, asking the Centre and the state government for information on relief camps. “They must be returned to their homes safely and religious sites must also be safeguarded.”
Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General, represented both the Centre and the Manipur government. He notified the Supreme Court panel of the efforts the government had taken to address the violence. He informed the court that 52 companies of the Central Armed Police Force, as well as Army and Assam Rifles contingents, had been deployed in the conflict zones.
Mehta told the division bench, which also included Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala, that flag marches and peace meetings are being organised in areas of violence. The Supreme Court ordered that all necessary steps be made to rehabilitate people who had been displaced.
Earlier, clashes have erupted between Meiteis, the predominant community in Imphal valley with over 53 per cent of the entire state population, and tribal populations, particularly Kukis, who live in the hill regions, since Wednesday. The plan to add Meiteis to the scheduled tribal category was the direct cause of the violence.
More than 50 people have reportedly been killed in violent clashes between the tribals living in the Manipur hills and the majority Meitei community residing in the Imphal Valley over the latter’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. More than 23,000 people have been rescued and sheltered in military garrisons and relief camps, Orissa Post reported.
Shashi Tharoor, the senior Congress politician, took to Twitter to condemn the BJP government over the violence in Manipur. “As the Manipur violence persists, all right-thinking Indians must ask themselves what happened to the much-vaunted good governance we had been promised. The voters of Manipur are feeling grossly betrayed just a year after putting the BJP in power in their state. It’s time for President’s Rule; the state Govt is just not up to the job they were elected to do,” Tharoor tweeted.
As the Manipur violence persists, all right-thinking Indians must ask themselves what happened to the much-vaunted good governance we had been promised. The voters of Manipur are feeling grossly betrayed just a year after putting the BJP in power in their state. It’s time for…
Earlier today Assam Rifles tweeted that, “Modi Battalion of #AssamRifles on 07 May, organised an interaction programme for the community leaders of Kuki and Meitei & CSOs of Pallel. The focus was to come together and maintain peace & tranquillity in the times when Manipur state has seen unprecedented violence.”
Modi Battalion of #AssamRifles on 07 May, organised an interaction programme for the community leaders of Kuki and Meitei & CSOs of Pallel. The focus was to come together and maintain peace & tranquility in the times when Manipur state has seen unprecedented violence. @HMOIndiapic.twitter.com/VwZkUrpHif
Imphal: The Manipur government on Sunday appointed Dr Vineet Joshi as the new chief secretary of the state which has been rocked by violence for the past few days, an official order said.
Joshi, a 1992 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Manipur cadre, replaced Dr Rajesh Kumar.
Joshi who was on central deputation was serving as Additional Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the repatriation of Joshi to his parent cadre on the request of the Government of Manipur, a Personnel Ministry order dated May 6 said.
“The governor of Manipur is pleased to appoint Dr Vineet Joshi as chief secretary” with immediate effect, according to an order of the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (personnel division) of the state government.
Violent Clashes broke out in the northeastern state after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the 10 hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, leading to the deaths of at least 54 people.
So far, 23,000 people have been rescued from the violence-hit areas and were moved to military garrisons.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal valley. Tribals — Nagas and Kukis — constitute another 40 per cent of the population and live in the hill districts.
New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday hit out at Chief Minister N Biren Singh over the situation in Manipur, saying he cannot absolve himself and “his patrons in New Delhi and Nagpur” of the responsibility for the horrific violence and killings in the state.
The Congress’ attack came a day after Singh, who heads a BJP-led government in Manipur, chaired an all-party meeting over the prevailing situation in the violence-hit state.
In a tweet, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, “The CM of Manipur finally condescended to meet with all political parties and some civil society groups. But he cannot absolve himself and his patrons in New Delhi and Nagpur of the responsibility for the horrific violence and killings in the state.”
The Congress has been warning of the consequences of what the RSS/BJP has been doing in the northeast, he said.
“But now is the time for a collective resolve to bring Manipur to peace and harmony,” Ramesh added.
Violent clashes broke out between tribals and people belonging to the majority Meitei community in Manipur on Wednesday, displacing thousands of people and killing at least 54.
The clashes broke out after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the 10 hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
Imphal: Army drones and helicopters kept a close watch on Manipur on Sunday as curfew was relaxed in some parts of the Northeastern state, which was rocked by ethnic violence over the last few days, officials said.
So far, 23,000 people have been rescued from the violence-hit areas and were moved to military garrisons, they said.
Personnel of the Army and Assam Rifles held flag marches as life started crawling back to somewhat normal, but the tension was palpable. Sources said around 10,000 security personnel have been deployed in the state, which has been on the boil since Wednesday.
Governor Anusuiya Uikey chaired a meeting with Security Advisor Kuldip Singh and Operational Commander Ashutosh Sinha.
At the meeting, the two officers shared their suggestions with the governor to resolve the crisis, said a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan.
Uikey advised the officers that arrangements be made for the safe return of the people who are in relief camps at present, it said.
The clashes broke out after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the ten hill districts of the state to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, leading to the deaths of at least 54 people.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal valley. Tribals — Nagas and Kukis — constitute another 40 per cent of the population and live in the hill districts.
In Hyderabad, Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region G Kishan Reddy told PTI that the Centre was ready for talks with the warring groups in Manipur and resolve their issues.
“Please come forward to solve the issues in a peaceful manner. The government is ready. You have seen the farmers’ issue. When it was peaceful, we tried to convince them. As the issue was not resolved, we agreed to their demand, and those bills (three farm laws) were withdrawn. So, the government is not adamant,” he said.
He stressed that people’s welfare was the government’s main agenda, urging the different groups to come forward for talks.
Reddy said the government will take care of those who suffered losses due to violence, and order a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.
“If they have any problem, it is the responsibility of the state and central governments to resolve it. We should all maintain restraint. We should resolve the issues through discussions, and not through violence. Nothing can be achieved through violence,” he added.
As the situation was improving, the state Home Department directed the district magistrates and deputy commissioners to relax the curfew in parts of their districts from 1 pm to 3 pm every day, according to a notification.
The restrictions were relaxed in Churachandpur, which was the epicentre of the violence, from 7 am to 10 am on Sunday to allow people buy essential items such as food and medicines.
On Monday, the curfew will be relaxed in Imphal West district from 5 am to 8 pm.
“Imphal City is area where major markets, shops, godown, business entities, etc. are located which provides various essential items which will not only cater to the needs of the District population but also to the needs of the entire State (sic),” said the notification, reasoning the relaxation.
Over the last 24 hours, the Army significantly enhanced surveillance efforts through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters within the Imphal Valley, a defence statement said in the morning.
Meanwhile, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) took various measures to help passengers at the Imphal airport, while the airlines have waived rescheduling and cancellation charges for flights operating here.
A total of 10,531 passengers have travelled via the Imphal airport, which handled 108 flights in the last few days.
Different states also continued rescuing their people from the state.
Andhra Pradesh rescued more than 100 students, while Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said 22 students from the state were stuck in Manipur and arrangements were being made to bring them back home.
Tripura rescued 208 of its students and Nagaland evacuated 676 people from the violence-hit state. Sikkim also rescued 128 students.
