MR. G.K. PILLAI, in a lecture at the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA), stated that when politicians from Manipur visit Delhi, including the Chief Minister, they rarely discuss Manipur's problems. Instead, they ask for funds for various purposes, and once received, they return to the state content....
Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, a new Indian National Congress MP from Manipur, maiden speech in Parliament was nothing short of electrifying. As a debutant participant, Akoijam boldly highlights some of the most pressing issues facing Manipur and the Northeast region, setting a formidable benchmark for fellow Indian National Congress MP...
ARE THE Nagas dreaming? The Meiteis are attempting to grab ancestral Naga lands currently occupied by Kuki-Zo in areas surrounding the Imphal valley (part of Sadar Hills/Kangpokpi) by becoming Scheduled Tribes (ST). The Kuki-Zo tribes are likely to receive district/territorial councils under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for...
THE FORTUNES of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in several northeastern states appear to be waning, as they have suffered losses to the Congress and regional parties in the 2024 parliamentary elections. The year-long ethnic conflict between a minority community and the dominant Meitei community in...
FOR AN economically weak state like Manipur, it is surprising to see the significant growth in the number of personal vehicles, ranging from scooters to large cars. Every household typically owns more than two vehicles, corresponding to the number of adults in the house. We tend to neglect the...
THE WRITING on the wall was there right from the time the 2024 parliamentary elections were announced. No one came forward for BJP tickets for both the parliamentary constituencies of Manipur. For the Outer Manipur constituency, the NPF aggressively foisted its candidate and the BJP, bereft of any ticket...
MANIPUR HAS been evolving as an entity through the ages under different rulers with varying degrees of administrative and political control over hill areas. Dramatic changes in the Meitei society took place during the reign of Maharaj Pamheiba when Shantidas Gosai, a Hindu priest came to Kangleipak. He renamed...
ON APRIL 26th, the electorate of Outer Manipur will exercise their right to vote in the 18th Lok Sabha election. As the day approaches, tensions are running high as four candidates—K Timothy Zimiksho (NPF), Alfred K Arthur (INC), S Kho John, and Alyson Abonmai (Ind)—vie for a seat in...
THE ANNOUNCEMENT of BJP candidate for inner parliamentary constituency of Manipur caused jitters and flutters in the BJP circle. Rumours indicated that bigwig BJP leaders were shying away to contest from inner constituency. People perceived the delay in announcement as reluctance of prominent BJP leaders to risk defeat in...
BY THE END of 2023, the ethnic violence in Manipur had taken a significant toll, leading to the loss of over 180 lives and the displacement of nearly 60,000 individuals. Against the backdrop of ongoing turmoil in Manipur, a significant deficiency in India's refugee policy has been thrust into...