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Amit Shah Engages in Talks with Meitei and Kuki Leaders in Violence-Hit Manipur, Urges Restoration of Peace

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Manipur on Monday to establish direct contact with the people and address the aftermath of the violent clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities that lasted nearly a month.

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Amit Shah Engages in Talks with Meitei and Kuki Leaders in Violence-Hit Manipur, Urges Restoration of Peace
Photo: Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Guwahati: Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Manipur on Monday to establish direct contact with the people and address the aftermath of the violent clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities that lasted nearly a month. In his efforts to restore peace, Shah met with leaders of various civil society organizations and intellectuals from both communities, urging them to work towards reconciliation.

During a meeting with Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the state cabinet on Sunday night, it was decided that families who lost loved ones in the violence would receive an ex gratia amount of Rs 10 lakh (1 million rupees) and a government job for each affected family.

On Tuesday, Shah first met with leaders of Meitei women groups, student unions, intellectuals, and various civil society organizations. Later, he visited the hill district of Churachandpur and held similar meetings with leaders from the Kuki community.

Ginza Vualzong, a leader of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum who attended the meeting with Shah, expressed the demand for “total separation” from Manipur and the imposition of President’s rule due to the collapse of law and order. Vualzong stated that they presented an 11-point charter of demands, including the identification of deceased tribal bodies in the Imphal valley for proper burial, relief and rehabilitation of displaced individuals, and enhanced security for the tribal population.

According to Vualzong, Kuki leaders emphasized the involvement of Meitei radical groups, alleging collusion with the government machinery during the violence. They called for legal actions against these radical groups, claiming their connection to the chief minister and Lok Sabha member Leishemba Sanajaoba. Pictorial evidence was reportedly submitted to the home minister.

Shah requested 15 days’ time to establish peace committees aimed at restoring harmony, stating that without peace, political talks would not be possible. He assured them of a judicial inquiry and mentioned that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is looking into some cases. Action against all those involved in the killings was promised by Shah, according to Vualzong.

Meitei leaders demanded measures to protect Manipur’s territorial and administrative integrity, as well as the immediate termination of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with Kuki insurgent groups allegedly involved in the violence.

In a joint memorandum submitted to Shah, five civil society organizations called for immediate and effective counter-terrorism measures to eradicate both SoO and non-SoO narco-terrorist aggressors, with the aim of restoring peace and normalcy. They also urged the protection of the lives and properties of Meitei villagers in the foothills of the Imphal valley and hill areas.

The organizations additionally requested the replacement of the Assam Rifles, currently stationed on the Myanmar border, with forces such as the Border Security Force. They also emphasized the need for immediate compensation and rehabilitation of the affected families from both communities.

The meetings between Amit Shah and the various stakeholders in Manipur reflect the government’s commitment to addressing the grievances arising from the recent clashes and working towards restoring peace and stability in the region.

India

Gangster-turned-Politician Mukhtar Ansari Dies of Cardiac Arrest

Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari has passed away at the age of 63 due to a cardiac arrest.

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Gangster-turned-Politician Mukhtar Ansari Dies of Cardiac Arrest
(File Photo: ndtv)

Jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari has passed away at the age of 63 due to a cardiac arrest. Ansari, a five-time former MLA from Mau in Uttar Pradesh, had been incarcerated in jails in both Uttar Pradesh and Punjab since 2005. His death comes amidst a flurry of controversy and speculation surrounding his health and treatment while in custody.

Ansari was rushed to the Rani Durgavati Medical College in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, by jail authorities after complaining of vomiting and being found unconscious. Despite efforts by a team of nine doctors, he succumbed to the cardiac arrest.

The news of his death prompted a significant security response, with a large team of police personnel deployed outside the hospital. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code were enforced across Uttar Pradesh following Ansari’s demise. Additionally, additional police personnel and Central Reserve Police Force teams were deployed in several districts as a precautionary measure.

This development comes in the wake of earlier hospitalizations of Ansari, which his brother, Ghazipur MP Afzal Ansari, attributed to alleged poisoning. Afzal Ansari claimed that Mukhtar Ansari had been given a poisonous substance in his food while in jail, leading to deteriorating health. The prison department, however, refuted these claims, stating that Ansari’s health had deteriorated due to other reasons, including a fall in the washroom.

The circumstances surrounding Ansari’s death have reignited debates about prisoner rights, medical care in jails, and the treatment of high-profile inmates. The controversy surrounding his demise is likely to persist as investigations into the events leading up to his death unfold.

In conclusion, Mukhtar Ansari’s passing marks the end of a controversial and tumultuous chapter in Uttar Pradesh’s political landscape. However, it also raises pertinent questions about the treatment of prisoners and the adequacy of medical facilities in jails. As the investigation progresses, the true circumstances of Ansari’s demise may come to light, providing closure to his family and supporters while sparking broader discussions about prison reform in India.

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Karnataka

Maoist Activity in Sullia, Karnataka: ANF Conducts Operations

Learn about the heightened Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) activity in Koojimalai forest following recent sightings of suspected Maoists.

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Maoist Activity in Sullia, Karnataka: ANF Conducts Operations
(File Photo - deccanherald)

In response to escalating concerns over suspected Naxalite activity, the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) has intensified combing operations in the dense expanse of Koojimalai forest. Reports indicate a surge in sightings of individuals believed to be associated with Maoist groups, prompting ANF jawans to bolster their presence in the region.

On Thursday, yet another sighting of a suspected Naxalite was reported from a heavily wooded area within the forest. Eyewitness accounts from a worker in the rubber plantation suggest the presence of an unfamiliar woman in the vicinity, igniting efforts to locate her amidst the dense foliage.

The ANF has wasted no time in responding to these reports, deploying teams to conduct thorough searches across the Ainekidu and Koojimale estate areas. Sources within the ANF have hinted at the possibility of lingering Naxalite presence along the fringes of the Pushpagiri forest sanctuary, underscoring the importance of vigilance in this region.

Confirming the gravity of the situation, ANF sources have acknowledged receiving multiple complaints regarding the presence of unidentified individuals in the Sampaje-Koojimalai corridor. This surge in activity has prompted the ANF to fortify its operations, ensuring a proactive approach to combat any potential threats posed by Naxalite elements.

As the ANF remains steadfast in its mission to maintain peace and security in the region, residents of Koojimalai and surrounding areas can take solace in the concerted efforts being made to address the looming specter of Naxalism. With continued vigilance and collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local communities, the menace of Naxalite insurgency can be effectively curtailed, safeguarding the tranquility of this pristine forest enclave.

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Bengaluru

NIA Arrests Key Conspirator in Bengaluru Cafe Blast Case

National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrests Muzammil Shareef, a key conspirator in the Bengaluru cafe blast case.

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NIA Arrests Key Conspirator in Bengaluru Cafe Blast Case
(Photo: Dainik Jagran)

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made significant progress in the investigation into the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast at the Rameshwaram cafe in Bengaluru’s Brookfield. On March 1, Muzammil Shareef, identified as a key conspirator, was apprehended by NIA teams during crackdowns at 18 locations across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.

Muzammil Shareef’s arrest comes after NIA took over the case on March 3, following initial investigations by Bengaluru’s Central Crime Branch (CCB). The blast, carried out by the main accused Mussavir Shazeeb Hussain, resulted in severe injuries to several customers and staff members, causing extensive damage to the property.

NIA’s investigations have unveiled Muzammil Shareef’s role in providing logistic support to the prime accused and another conspirator, Abdul Matheen Taha. While Hussain and Taha remain at large, NIA’s efforts continue to bring them to justice.

The blast, triggered by an IED, necessitated a swift and thorough investigation by NIA to ensure accountability and prevent further threats to public safety. With ongoing efforts and collaboration with law enforcement agencies, NIA remains committed to unraveling the complete network behind such acts of terrorism.

Stay tuned for more updates on NIA’s investigation into the Bengaluru cafe blast case as efforts intensify to bring all perpetrators to justice and safeguard our communities from such heinous acts.

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