National

Home Minister Amit Shah Advocates for Free Movement in Manipur, Reinforces Commitment to Arms Surrender and Border Security

Published

1 year ago

March 1, 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah presided over a crucial security review meeting on Saturday, where he directed security forces to facilitate unhindered movement for residents in Manipur starting March 8 and to take firm action against any attempts to block roads. This meeting occurs amid a persistent ethnic conflict that has plagued the northeastern state for nearly two years.

Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The unrest, which erupted in May 2023 due to clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, has resulted in over 200 fatalities and displaced tens of thousands of people.

Shah’s instructions are in line with the Centre’s broader strategy aimed at restoring law and order, dismantling insurgency networks, and preventing cross-border infiltration along the Indo-Myanmar border.

The security gathering followed a March 6 ultimatum from the Governor of Manipur, which urged individuals to surrender any looted or illegal firearms. During the seven-day deadline, over 300 weapons were surrendered, including 246 from the radical Meitei group Arambai Tenggol in the valley districts. Nevertheless, thousands of firearms, taken from police stations and armories during the early days of the violence, remain missing.

In response to public requests from communities in both the hills and valleys, the Governor extended the surrender deadline to March 6 at 4 PM. Security agencies are also working on plans to recover the looted weapons from militant groups and armed civilian factions to ensure that no group maintains excessive firepower.

The ethnic violence in Manipur began in May 2023 over the Meitei demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which intensified tensions with the Kuki-Zo tribal groups. The situation quickly devolved into widespread rioting, arson, and armed conflicts, leading to the establishment of ethnic militias and extensive looting of arms from security forces.

Despite several attempted peace negotiations, the rift between the valley-dwelling Meiteis and the hill-based Kukis has only widened, leaving Manipur in an enduring crisis. The imposition of President’s Rule is perceived as an effort by the Centre to take direct control of the state and accelerate de-escalation initiatives.

National

Pickup Vehicle Crashes Into Divider, Two Killed Including Child

Published

2 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Namma Kudla

Uttar Pradesh: A tragic road accident took place in Uttar Pradesh when a pickup vehicle lost control and crashed into a road divider.

The driver and a three-year-old girl died on the spot due to the impact of the crash. Nine passengers who were travelling in the vehicle sustained injuries. They were rushed to the district hospital for treatment.

Reports said the victims were travelling to their native village to celebrate the Holi festival. A video showing the horrifying scene of the accident has gone viral on social media.

Preliminary reports suggest that overspeeding may have led to the accident. Police have started an investigation into the incident.

National

Five from Karnataka Killed in Car–Container Collision in Andhra Pradesh

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Namma Kudla

Andhra Pradesh: Five people from Karnataka were killed on the spot after the car they were travelling in rammed into a container truck from behind in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district on Tuesday.

The accident occurred near Gangavaram in Palamaneru while the victims were on their way to Tirupati temple from Bengaluru. According to police, the car crashed into the rear of a container vehicle with great force, leaving the vehicle completely mangled.

The deceased have been identified as Mohandas (71), Nagaraj (61), Kusuma (61), Jayanti (59), and Pooja (33). All of them were residents of Rajajinagar in Bengaluru.

Preliminary reports suggest that the impact of the collision was so severe that all five occupants died at the scene. Police have registered a case at the Palamaneru police station and further investigation is underway.

More details are awaited.

National

Woman Kills Ex-Lover Over Blackmail in Ballia

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

Namma Kudla

Uttar Pradesh: A married woman allegedly killed her former lover in Ballia after he blackmailed her with private videos, police said.

According to police, the victim was identified as Pankaj Gupta, a resident of Azamgarh. He was reportedly in a relationship with the woman from a nearby village.

Police said the woman wanted to end the relationship. However, Gupta allegedly began blackmailing her using obscene videos and harassed her repeatedly.

Unable to bear the threats, the woman informed her brother and sister-in-law. The trio allegedly planned the murder during a wedding function on February 5.

On February 7, they allegedly called Gupta to the village on a pretext. He was strangled to death, police said. The accused then poured acid on his face to hide his identity and tried to destroy evidence.

An unidentified body with a disfigured face was found on February 10. The crime was later solved during the investigation.

Police have arrested three accused, including the woman, and sent them to judicial custody. Efforts are on to arrest other suspects involved in the case.