Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Tuesday apologised for the ethnic conflict in the state which claimed over 250 lives and rendered thousands homeless, and appealed to all communities to forget and forgive past mistakes and live together in a peaceful and prosperous state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended birthday greetings to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who turned 45 on Friday.
Sharmila will contest from Thoubal seat, convenor of her party People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance Erendro Leichonbam, said.
On Thursday, he had visited relief camps in Churachandpur, one of the worst affected towns in the ethnic rioting, which has plagued the northeastern state for the last two months.
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Sharmila filed her nomination on behalf of People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance.
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.
Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag also paid tributes to the deceased soldier.
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.
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.
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.
Sharmila, who contested from Thoubal constituency against Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh was relegated to the fourth position.
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.
Ten Manipur tribal MLAs Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to withdraw Assam Rifles from security duties in the violence-hit state, saying its personnel have been putting their lives at risks to create buffer zones between the two warring communities.
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.
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.
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
"I will resign by tomorrow (on Tuesday) to facilitate the process of government formation," Singh said.
The proceedings began at 11 am with two-minute silence for those killed in the ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis that began on May 3.
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.
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.'
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.
Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh's residence was attacked by the proscribed People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak on Tuesday.
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.
The Cabinet is meeting today to discuss the situation arising out of the agitation to press for the withdrawal of the Act.
Manipur Governor Shivinder Singh Sidhu administered the oath of office and secrecy to Ibobi Singh.
The Congress squares up with the Manipur Peoples Party.
Okram Landhoni, wife of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh won the Khangabok Assembly constituency, Thoubal district, with a margin of over 18,000 votes.
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.
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.
Not a single bus or truck bound for other states has plied since the blockade began, sources said.
While the Congress demanded immediate sacking of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the Samajwadi Party and a few others sought imposition of President's rule in the state that has witnessed sporadic violence in since May 3.
The former footballer who later became editor of a vernacular daily Naharolgi Thoudang, has managed to strike a chord with the youth, promoting entrepreneurship through programmes such as 'Start-Up Manipur' as an alternative for young people who were being attracted to insurgency.
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.
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