The Manipur government has decided to provide arms and ammunition to the people of the state to defend themselves from militants. Official sources said in Imphal on Saturday that the state cabinet, presided over by Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, discussed the issue on Friday night at a meeting. About 300 youths at Heirok and 200 youths at Chajing, commanded by police forces, will be recruited to provide security to the people. Each youth would be provided with Rs 3,000
Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh's residence was attacked by the proscribed People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak on Tuesday.
Several social organisations have also been opposing the AFSPA, which empowers security personal to shoot any suspect even causing death, and demanding its withdrawal from the state for many years.
The ruling party along with its alliance partner CPI notched up 22 seats of the 58 results declared so far.
The community comprised seven percent of the total population of the state, but it represented only 2.57 percent in the government's grade I and II jobs.
Though armed personnel were positioned on the main roads of Imphal, strike supporters burnt tyres and blocked all roads in Imphal.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on Thursday said some innocent people had lost lives in the past few years and urged the Centre to review or modify the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
Manipuri organisations which oppose special powers to the army are open to holding talks with centre and state
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, however, said he would not tolerate violent agitations that are being organised by a few groups in the state.
The Cabinet is meeting today to discuss the situation arising out of the agitation to press for the withdrawal of the Act.
The police doused the flames but three of the youth received serious burn injuries, official sources said
The chief minister suggested talks without any precondition from both sides.
The MoU was signed on Monday between representatives of the state government and leaders of the Kangleipak communist Party-Nongdreinkhomba, Kuki National Liberation Front and Kuki Revolutionary Party.
The state government declared closure of all educational institutions on Wednesday to prevent the students from carrying out their protest.
Blockade is an issue which has seemingly widened the divide between the hills and the plains.
Militants opened fire at the chief minister's convoy soon after he left Wangjing area in Thoubal district around 1055 IST.
Not a single bus or truck bound for other states has plied since the blockade began, sources said.
The prime minister gave this assurance to an all-party delegation from Manipur led by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh. Singh also wanted a constitutional amendment in this regard.
A maximum statewide alert has been sounded as social organisations plan to take out a torchlight rally protesting attempts to divide the state in the wake of the Naga talks.
During its talks with the Centre, the NSCN (I-M) has demanded the formation of 'Greater Nagaland', which includes parts of Manipur.
Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Friday wrote letters to fellow chief ministers, urging them to oppose the Communal Violence Bill saying it was a blatant intrusion upon the powers of the state governments.
After Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, discontent is brewing among Congress MLAs in Manipur.
A powerful bomb exploded close to Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh's official residence amid high security deployment on Independence Day eve but no casualty was reported.
The blockade was imposed by the United Naga Council on November 1 to protest against the creation of seven new districts.
As the results pour in from the five states which have gone to polls, scenes of celebrations can be seen across the nation.
The Union home ministry said there was 'substantial progress' on the issues in the talks.
Syed Firdaus Ashraf lists seven states where the Grand Old Party suffered a severe setback.
The PM added that developing the infrastructure in the north-east region is being given top priority by the government.
The governor justified her decision to invite the BJP, saying the party has requisite numbers.
In both the states where the Bharatiya Janata Party came second is trying to turn the tables on the Congress to form the government.
With the counting for the high-stakes assembly elections is on in five states - Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa, here's a look at some of the big names and where they stand.
The Centre on Friday reviewed the situation in Manipur in the wake of the crippling economic blockade of a highway, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju asking the state government to end the "worrisome" conditions that have triggered a "humanitarian crisis".
5 states that contribute just under a fifth of the Lok Sabha's seats will go to the polls early this year.
Manipur was on the boil on Tuesday with eight people dying and 31 injured since Monday night in arson, violence and clashes between mobs and police in Churachandpur district even as curfew continued since last night.
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