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Centre holds meeting with Meitei-Kuki groups on Manipur conflict resolution

The Central government team was led by A.K. Mishra, a retired special director of the Intelligence Bureau, who served as an interlocutor in the talks.

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The Central government on Saturday convened a crucial meeting with representatives of Manipur’s warring Meitei and Kuki communities in a renewed push to establish lasting peace in the troubled state. According to reports, the dialogue was part of a broader initiative to broker a harmonious resolution to the ethnic strife that erupted in May 2023, leaving the region in turmoil.

The meeting, held in New Delhi, focused on building trust and fostering cooperation between the two groups while charting a path toward restoring normalcy in Manipur. “The discussions emphasized maintaining law and order and promoting reconciliation to heal the deep divisions,” reports revealed. The goal was to create a roadmap that addresses the root causes of the conflict and ensures stability for all communities.

The Meitei delegation included six members, representing key organizations such as the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO) and the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS). The Kuki side was represented by approximately nine leaders. The Central Government team was led by A.K. Mishra, a retired special director of the Intelligence Bureau, who served as an interlocutor in the talks.

This effort follows earlier statements by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a Lok Sabha debate on Thursday, April 3, 2025. Responding to a discussion on a Statutory Resolution confirming the imposition of the President’s rule in Manipur, Shah disclosed that the Ministry of Home Affairs had previously held separate consultations with representatives of both communities and various organizations.

“We will soon organize a joint meeting to advance these efforts,” he assured, stressing that the government’s primary objective is to end the violence and restore peace, even as he acknowledged that the situation, while improved with no deaths reported in the last four months, remains far from satisfactory. Many displaced individuals are still living in relief camps, he noted.

President’s rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13, 2025, after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned on February 9. The state assembly, with a term extending until 2027, has been placed under suspended animation. Since the outbreak of violence in May 2023, over 260 lives have been lost, and thousands of weapons were looted from police stations during the initial chaos, exacerbating the security crisis.

Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who assumed office on January 3, 2025, and was hand-picked by Shah—having served as Union Home Secretary until August 2024—has been actively engaging with diverse groups across Manipur to gather insights and devise strategies for peace. Bhalla has taken several measures, including urging those who looted arms to surrender them, and has pushed to reopen state roads for normal traffic. However, these efforts have faced resistance, particularly from the Kuki community, which has opposed such moves.

The ethnic violence in Manipur was triggered by a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill districts, protesting a Manipur High Court order supporting the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. This decision fueled tensions, leading to clashes between the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the hill-dwelling Kukis. Today, movement between areas dominated by either community is strictly prohibited, with Kukis relying on routes through Mizoram to travel outside the state, while Meiteis avoid Kuki-dominated hills altogether.

India News

India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

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India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

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Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

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Actor Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.

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Women wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan’s acquittal in sexual harassment case

Four women wrestlers have challenged the acquittal of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case.

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Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Four women wrestlers have approached a Delhi court challenging the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.

The wrestlers have also challenged the acquittal of co-accused Vinod Tomar. The matter is scheduled to be heard by a Special Judge at the Rouse Avenue Courts.

The appeal challenges the order passed by an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on August 3, 2026, when Brij Bhushan and Tomar were acquitted in the case.

Wrestlers challenge court’s reasoning

In their appeal, the wrestlers have argued that the acquittal order is legally unsustainable and that the evidence was not assessed appropriately.

They have also alleged that the order relied on assumptions about how victims of sexual assault and harassment were expected to behave instead of assessing the evidence and circumstances of the complainants.

The challenge seeks judicial scrutiny of the findings that resulted in the acquittal of Brij Bhushan and Tomar.

Brij Bhushan was acquitted in August

The Rouse Avenue court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on August 3 in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. The court’s decision followed consideration of the evidence and statements presented during the proceedings.

The case had emerged after several women wrestlers accused the former WFI chief of sexual harassment. The allegations had led to a major protest by wrestlers in 2023.

The latest appeal means the acquittal is now being challenged before a higher court.

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