Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh was on Wednesday sworn in as the 23rd chief minister of Manipur for a third consecutive term. Governor Gurbachan Jagat administered the oath of office and secrecy to Singh at a simple ceremony at Raj Bhavan at around 3.20 pm. A number of senior Congress members who were to be sworn in along with Ibobi Singh could not take the oath because their names could not be finalised.
Manipur Governor Shivinder Singh Sidhu administered the oath of office and secrecy to Ibobi Singh.
"I will resign by tomorrow (on Tuesday) to facilitate the process of government formation," Singh said.
Okram Ibobi Singh was almost written off after last year's crippling economic blockade in Manipur but the 61-year-old warhorse scripted a spectacular hat-trick for the Congress in the strife-torn state.
Speaking at the chief ministers' conference on internal security in New Delhi, Singh said his state endorses the central government's proposal to deploy the BSF, replacing the Assam Rifles, to guard the 1,640-kilometre-long border which will help to ensure effective surveillance of this porous frontier.
The BJP cobbles up the numbers to stake a claim to form a government in Imphal. But ruling the restive state won't be easy, says Chitra Ahanthem.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended birthday greetings to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who turned 45 on Friday.
The name of her party "People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance" was announced at the Johnstone Higher Secondary School in Imphal.
Okram Landhoni, wife of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh won the Khangabok Assembly constituency, Thoubal district, with a margin of over 18,000 votes.
Sharmila will contest from Thoubal seat, convenor of her party People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance Erendro Leichonbam, said.
The Congress squares up with the Manipur Peoples Party.
The National Election Watch has put out a report pertaining the chief ministers of the five states going to polls -- Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.
Naga rebel group Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah has accused Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh of trying to derail the ongoing peace talks by making 'destructive remarks' against the organisation. According to the Naga rebel group, which had declared a state of truce with the government of India, the Manipur chief minister has shown his "antagonism" towards the peace talks.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has assets worth a whopping Rs 87.27 crore, according to the National Election Watch, which has analysed the affidavits filed by the chief ministers of the five poll-bound states.
A girl was killed and five others injured on Thursday in the first blast in Manipur after Okram Ibobi Singh was sworn in as the state chief minister for a third consecutive term on Wednesday. According to police sources, an eight-year-old girl was killed and five others of the same family injured when unidentified militants exploded a grenade inside the house of one Pebam Jilla Singh of Pangei area under Heingang police station.
Finally buckling under mounting public protests against July 23 'fake encounter death' of a youth and a pregnant woman in a market area in Imphal city, the Congress-led Manipur government on Wednesday evening announced judicial inquiry into the incident and also suspended six cops' alleged involved in the 'encounter.'
Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh's residence was attacked by the proscribed People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak on Tuesday.
Rediff.com brings you some insights into the lives of the four men who are all ready for an encore performance in the chief minister's post
Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has warned citizens of the state that the Centre might re-impose the Armed Forces Special Power Act in the Imphal municipal area if the different underground outfits continue to unleash their reign of terror in the city.Describing the sharply deteriorated law and order situation in Manipur, the chief minister pointed out that "killing, extortion, hurling of grenade and bombs are happening at regular intervals," he said.
Security was tightened in Imphal on Monday in the wake of a blast near the official residence of Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, official sources said on Monday.
Seven non-Manipuris were on Tuesday shot dead by unidentified militants in Imphal East district, taking the toll in attacks against outsiders since last Monday to 14. The victims were believed to be from Bihar and were in the business of tobacco products. While three were gunned down at Takhel area, one each were murdered at Kangla and Sangomshang areas of the district, official sources said.
The Cabinet is meeting today to discuss the situation arising out of the agitation to press for the withdrawal of the Act.
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.
Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag also paid tributes to the deceased soldier.
On the eve of the elections, we take a look at what drives the Manipuri vote.
Sharmila filed her nomination on behalf of People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance.
Militants opened fire at the chief minister's convoy soon after he left Wangjing area in Thoubal district around 1055 IST.
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.
The chief minister suggested talks without any precondition from both sides.
Though armed personnel were positioned on the main roads of Imphal, strike supporters burnt tyres and blocked all roads in Imphal.
Sharmila, who contested from Thoubal constituency against Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh was relegated to the fourth position.
Not a single bus or truck bound for other states has plied since the blockade began, sources said.
Militants on Tuesday exploded a powerful bomb in a market area in Imphal, injuring five persons and damaging a school building.
Before leaving, Biren Singh said that he and the present and former Congress MLAs will meet the BJP central leadership in the national capital to personally introduce and to invite them to join the party.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi donned the traditional gear of the Naga tribes
Rediff Labs analyses who's been making the most buzz in the 5 poll-bound states.
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.
