Intense firing reported in two Manipur districts
Firing incidents were reported in two areas of Manipur on Wednesday at around 4:30 am. The previous incident of intermittent firing between the communities took place on July 4, in the evening. Intense firing was reported in certain areas of Manipur in the early hours of Wednesday. The firing began at around 4:30 am, specifically in the Kangpokpi district and Bishnupur district, according to news agency PTI. No casualties have been reported so far. The previous incident of intermittent firing between two communities took place on July 4, between 7 and 8 pm, reported PTI, quoting security officials. The exchange of gunfire stopped after this period, and no casualties were reported. Earlier, on the morning of July 4, a group of armed miscreants made an attempt to loot weapons from the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) located in a village in Manipur's Thoubal district. A 27-year-old man was killed in the clash between the miscreants and security officials, and an Assam Rifles jawan was shot at. The mob tried to storm the camp of an India Reserve Battalion in the Khangabok area to loot arms and ammunition, they said. Soon, a clash with the forces broke out. The forces tried to bring the situation under control and
Intensifying religious persecution in India and the U.S. response
In a joint statement released by the White House on June 22, President Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced several new technology, defense, and research initiatives that are set to bolster the economic ties between the United States and India. The statement came during Modi’s recent visit to Washington, D.C., signaling the Biden administration’s clear intent to further pivot U.S. foreign relations in the Indo-Pacific by privileging the nation which now boasts the largest democracy in the world with a greatly expanded trade partnership. Undoubtedly, this announcement will come as welcome news to many who are excited by the prospect of establishing India as a more reliable supplier of semiconductors to the U.S. and as a more militarily-secure neighbor to the Chinese Communist Party. However, the announcement also raises concerns in light of recent reports that have exposed the increasingly dire state of religious freedom and human rights within Modi’s India. Alarming reports about religious freedom In its 2023 report on religious liberty in India, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recommended that Secretary of State Anthony Blinken designate India a “country of particular concern,” after finding increased instances of religious persecution against Muslims, Christians, and
Manipur violence: Cannot back down during peace offensive, says Kuki leader whose home was torched after decision to lift highway blockade
Seilen Haokip's home was set on fire a day after the KNO and the United People's Front announced that the blockade on National Highway 2 in Kangpokpi district will be lifted. Seilen Haokip told The Indian Express that the incident took place around 11-11:30 pm and that no one was home at that time. The home of Kuki National Organisation (KNO) spokesperson Seilen Haokip was set on fire in Manipur’s Churachandpur on Monday night. This came a day after the KNO and the United People’s Front announced that the blockade on National Highway 2 in Kangpokpi district will be lifted. Haokip’s house is located in Songpi in Churachandpur district. While there have been multiple instances of properties of Meitei representatives being torched by members of the Meitei community in parts of the valley, especially Imphal, this is the first prominent instance of a Kuki-Zomi leader’s residence being targeted in a Kuki-Zomi dominated area. Haokip told The Indian Express that the incident took place around 11-11:30 pm and that no one was home at that time. On Sunday, the KNO and UPF – both of which come under a Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement – said that the decision to lift the highway blockage was taken
Manipur violence: Kuki National Organisation spokesperson’s house set on fire in Churachandpur
A house of a Kuki leader was set on fire in strife-torn Manipur as the state witnessed another wave of violence on Monday (July 3). The incident was part of a new spate of violence that occurred on Monday in the Kangpokpi area located under the Thingsat hill range. (File Photo) By India Today News Desk: The house of Kuki National Organisation spokesperson Seilen Haokip in Churachandpur’s Songpi was set on fire by some unknown miscreants on Monday (July 3). Selien Haokip was one of the leaders who had raised his voice for the lifting of the blockade on National Highway 2 in Kangpokpi. The incident was part of a new spate of violence that occurred on Monday in the Kangpokpi area located under the Thingsat hill range. According to sources, an exchange of gunfire was also witnessed in Phaileng village during the early hours of Monday, escalating the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in the strife-torn state. Meanwhile, expressing concern over the law and order situation in Manipur, the Supreme Court has sought a detailed status report from the state government on the measures taken to curb ethnic violence in the state. The Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and
Catholic leaders say ‘ethnic cleansing’ of Christians unfolding in Indian state
MUMBAI – Prayers and protest marches by India’s small but socially influential Catholic community were staged across the country July 2 in response to ongoing violence against Christians in the country’s northeastern state of Manipur. Called by the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, the protests highlighted that more than 100 people, largely Christians, have been killed so far in Manipur, with the carnage unfolding just ahead of the August anniversary of an anti-Christian pogrom in 2008 in the state of Orissa. The conflict pits the largely Hindu Meitei ethnic group against the mostly Protestant Christian Kuki people, each of which represents roughly forty percent of the state’s population of four million, but the Meitei enjoy the support of regional and national political forces dominated by the Hindu nationalist BJP party of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Since the violence began on May 3, estimates are that some 50,000 displaced persons are now living in 300 refugee camps, though with larger numbers expelled from their homes and villages who haven’t moved to any formal settlements. Over 5,000 structures, including churches and private Christian homes, have been burned, and some local observers claim that as many as 120 people have died. A June 22 message from
‘Orthodox Syrian Christian’ Community Of Udupi Calls To End Manipur Violence
Udupi: On the occasion of the Feast of St Thomas the Apostle of India, celebrated as “Indian Christian Day,” representatives of the Orthodox Syrian Christian Community in Udupi District, Karnataka, submitted a memorandum to the President of India and the Prime Minister through the Additional District Collector of Udupi District, Veena BN K.A.S. The memorandum highlights the disturbing rise in violent incidents in Manipur over the past few months, including armed clashes, acts of terrorism, extortion, targeted killings, and the destruction of religious places, particularly Christian churches. Furthermore, it draws attention to the displacement of over 50,000 people, with more than 200-300 religious centres being vandalized. This violence has had a severe impact on the social, economic, and cultural fabric of the state. We believe it is imperative to take immediate action to address this situation and restore peace in Manipur. Citing Article 355 of the Indian Constitution, which empowers the Union to protect states against internal disturbances and ensure the proper functioning of state governments. We earnestly appeal to the President and the Prime Minister to exercise their constitutional authority in this regard. It strongly urges the central government to deploy additional security forces to maintain law and order, establish a Peacekeeping Commission
Indore: Catholic Society To Celebrate ‘Indian Christian Day’ Today
ndore (Madhya Pradesh): The Catholic Society will be celebrating St Thomas’ Memory Day as ‘Indian Christian Day’ on Monday at St Raphael School from 6:30 pm. Prayer to Saint Thomas the Apostle leads to miracles such as healing of illnesses, protection from calamities, and liberation from adversity, and spiritual growth. Many individuals have been cured, protected, and guided through their prayers, receiving mental and spiritual support. "St. Thomas the Apostle's unwavering faith and dedication to spreading the message of Jesus are truly inspiring. His story reminds us of the importance of questioning, seeking understanding, and finding our own path to faith. As a Bishop of Indore, I strive to instil in all members of the Christian community the same spirit of curiosity and critical thinking that St Thomas exemplified. His commitment to sharing the teachings of Jesus in different regions serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of love and belief,” said Bishop ChakoThotamorical, Bishop of Indore Diocese. “As the Parish Priest of St Francis Cathedral Church in Indore, I am deeply inspired by the arrival of St Thomas the Apostle in India, which historical records indicate occurred in the 1st century AD. The accounts of his missionary work and
Uniform Civil Code is Indian PM’s response to electoral rout
It confirms Narendra Modi will again use Hindu majoritarianism to win a third consecutive term in 2024 In a land where the most simple of marriage laws — that the bride must be 18 years of age — is defied by tens of millions every year, the uncommon hurry to enact a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for 1.30 billion Indians within this year, confirms the fears that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will again use the Brahmastra, or divine weapon, of Hindu majoritarianism to win the 2024 general election, for a third consecutive term. In every election, since he used the formula to come to power in 2014, Modi has notched upsets, carrying the battle to the grassroots, seeing his opponents trying to ape him in several shades of Hindutva (hegemony of Hinduism) and fail. The Congress, even the left and the socialists in between, have discovered that soft Hindutva does not work when the real McCoy can be had for the asking. At its basest, this smoke and mirrors politics works by scaring the majority Hindus — close to 80 percent of the population — that they will be reduced to vassals of Muslims who once ravaged the land of its history and culture,
Manipur violence | At least 11 killed in late night attack in Khamenlok
Police said that the militants hurled several bombs at Khamenlok late on June 13 night killing and injuring several villagers At least eleven villagers were massacred in a late night attack at Khamenlok in Imphal East district of violence-hit Manipur on June 13, police said. Several injured persons have been admitted in government and private hospitals. Hospital sources said that the death toll will increase since many wounded persons are admitted in the ICUs. The dead bodies have been kept in the mortuary of J.N. Institute of Medical Sciences, Porompat in Imphal. Police said that the militants hurled several bombs at Khamenlok late on Tuesday night killing and injuring several villagers. The unhurt villagers rushed out of their houses to flee to safe areas. However the waiting tribal militants opened fire on the escaping villagers. Additional forces were rushed to Khamenlok. After some minutes of exchange of fire, tribal militants retreated. Khamenlok has been the main battleground for the Kuki tribal militants and the non-tribal Meiteis. In the past few days several persons were killed and wounded in clashes with the militant groups who are armed with many sophisticated weapons. Manipur extends Internet ban till June 15 Reacting to the massacre of innocent villagers, the CLP
Religious Facet Seen in Ethnic Violence in Manipur, India
Christians likely targeted in inter-tribal attacks, sources say. A surge of ethnic violence with a growing religious component in northeastern India led to the killing on Friday (June 9) of a woman in her church building and two other Christians, sources said. The attack by ethnic Meitei with automatic rifles in Manipur state’s Khoken village, on the boundary between Kangpokpi and Imphal West districts, killed the ethnic Kuki Christian woman in her 60s, Domkhohoi Haokip, as she prayed, according to the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF). “They have no regard for women and children,” Ginza Vualzong, spokesperson for the ITLF, told Morning Star News. “A woman was killed inside the church while she was praying, that’s how merciless they are.” Two other ethnic Kuki Christians, Jangpao Touthang and Khaimang Guite, were killed in the attack in which the armed Meitei arrived in the vehicles and uniforms of the Indian army, according to an ITLF press statement. Local people initially thought they were government soldiers combing the area to maintain order. The use of army uniforms and vehicles by the Meitei militants raised questions about how they obtained them and potential involvement of outside forces in the conflict. Two other Kuki Christian villagers, identified as Thongneh
