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Manipur: Congress poses questions to Centre, asks why state being allowed to go Afghanistan way

However, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has emphatically rejected the demand.

Published

6 months ago

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Amid the unabating crisis in Manipur, Congress MP A Bimol Akoijam raises pointed questions over the Centre’s inaction, suggesting that such a situation would not have been left unaddressed if it happened in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

In an interview with PTI, Akoijam vehemently criticised the Centre’s handling of the situation in Manipur, asking why the government of India was allowing the northeastern state to become like Afghanistan, which he described as a “banana republic”.

“With 60,000 troops stationed in Manipur, the central government should have prevented this crisis from persisting for so long,” Akoijam stated.

“If this were happening in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, or Madhya Pradesh, would it have been allowed to linger? Most people would say no,” he added.

Amid the continuing crisis, Akoijam urged the Centre to thrash out the issues in the state government, claiming that BJP MLAs were speaking in two different voices on the issue of separate administration.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have called his MLAs and ministers and said ‘this should not happen in India. Manipur is not a part of any Banana Republic, I will not allow this to happen, talk it out, what is the problem’,” Akoijam said.

Representatives of certain Kuki groups in Manipur made a demand last month for the creation of a Union Territory with a legislature similar to that of Puducherry, stating that it was the only solution to the ongoing strife.

However, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has emphatically rejected the demand.

Akoijam, who represents the Inner Manipur constituency in the Lok Sabha, emphasised that while he viewed Singh as a “small-time player” in the broader crisis, he could not be completely absolved of responsibility.

He alleged, “The government of India is squarely responsible for the crisis.”

He voiced serious concerns about the deteriorating situation in the state and cited the example of Afghanistan, saying, “where warlords roam around and the central authority cannot assert itself.”

Akoijam also urged the Centre to assert itself “decisively and judiciously.”

When asked if he thought Manipur was heading in the direction of Afghanistan, the Congress MP said, “The government of India has been allowing it. So, the question is – instead of asking whether Manipur is going the Afghanistan way, we should be asking why the government of India is allowing Manipur to be like a banana republic, like in Afghanistan. That should be the right question.”

Akoijam alleged that there had been a deliberate effort to destabilize Manipur, claiming that “someone is scripting this in cahoots with those seeking to split and dismember the state.”

He observed that the violence witnessed in Manipur was unprecedented in post-colonial India, describing it as akin to a civil war characterized by sophisticated arms and military-style operations.

Akoijam, an associate professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, stated, “India is not a banana republic. Even if the Indian Armed Forces were allowed to act as a peacekeeping force in a foreign country, you would not allow these things to happen.”

Akoijam also dismissed Home Minister Amit Shah’s assertion that the overall situation in Manipur had been calm outside of three days of recent violence.

“The government’s statements create confusion rather than clarity,” he said.

Regarding the possibility of restoring peace and facilitating movement between communities in Manipur, Akoijam expressed skepticism, noting that the situation was far more complex than other historical conflicts in the country.

When asked if he could provide a timeline for normalizing the situation in Manipur, the MP said it was “embarrassing for me” as an Indian to ask when communities affected by communal violence would be able to return to their homes.

He stated, “The situation of Kashmiri Pandits is often discussed but at least some Pandits remain; in this case, there is a complete absence of certain communities.”

Akoijam pointed out that while there were security concerns, there was a need to acknowledge that certain armed groups had committed violence, and civilians had been armed as well.

He added, “This has never happened before and blaming one community or another only complicates matters further.”

As the situation in strife-torn Manipur continues to be tense, there have been increasingly louder calls for a robust response from the central government, with stakeholders expressing deep concerns over the future of peace and stability in the region.

Ethnic violence in Manipur erupted on May 3, 2022, following a tribal solidarity march in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community’s push for Scheduled Tribe status. Since then, the violence has claimed the lives of more than 220 individuals, including members of both the Kuki and Meitei communities, as well as security personnel.

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India News

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari says poor engineering, lack of accountabillity behind road accidents

Nitin Gadkari blames flawed road designs and lack of accountability for rising road accidents in India. He calls for improved safety measures and better planning in infrastructure projects.

Published

16 hours ago

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March 6, 2025

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Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has blamed faulty detailed project reports (DPRs) and flawed road designs for the increasing number of road accidents in India. Speaking at the Global Road Infratech Summit & Expo (GRIS), he underscored the lack of accountability in road construction and planning, calling for urgent reforms to improve road safety.

Engineering flaws behind rising accidents

Gadkari, known for his candid opinions, stated, “Most of the road accidents happen in the country due to small civil mistakes, faulty DPRs and nobody is held accountable.” He pointed out that poor-quality DPRs and defective planning have led to an alarming rise in road mishaps.

Expressing concern over India’s poor road signage and marking systems, Gadkari urged authorities to take lessons from countries such as Spain, Austria, and Switzerland, where road infrastructure is significantly better.

Call for new strategies and sustainable materials

The minister emphasized the importance of adopting newer technologies and sustainable, recyclable materials in road construction to enhance safety. He urged the road construction industry to devise better strategies for accident prevention.

Disturbing road accident statistics

India recorded a staggering 1,80,000 deaths due to road accidents in 2023, a number Gadkari deemed unacceptable. With road safety being a top priority, he reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing road accidents by 50% by 2030.

Industry voices stress on prioritizing safety

At the event, International Road Federation (IRF) president emeritus K K Kapila echoed Gadkari’s concerns, stating that safety should be integrated into every aspect of road design, construction, and management. He emphasized that initiatives like GRIS aim to move towards a future with zero road fatalities.

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India News

AI-generated video of miniature humans making Indian sweets goes viral with 16 million views

A viral AI-generated video shows tiny human figures crafting oversized Indian sweets in a creative reel that has captivated social media, amassing over 16 million views.

Published

16 hours ago

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March 6, 2025

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AI-generated video of tiny humans making Indian sweets

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to redefine creativity in the digital world, and the latest viral sensation is a testament to that. A mesmerizing AI-generated video featuring miniature human figures ‘making’ traditional Indian sweets has taken social media by storm, amassing over 16 million views on Instagram.

Miniature workers crafting oversized sweets

The viral reel, shared by the Instagram page @the.aiengineer, showcases tiny human-like figures engaged in the intricate process of ‘preparing’ various Indian sweets that appear much larger than them. Dressed as construction workers, the miniature figures are depicted as ‘perfecting’ stacks of jalebis, kneading soft rasgullas, glazing gulab jamuns, and shaping laddoos, kaju katlis, barfis, patisa, and other beloved treats.

One particularly creative scene features rasgullas floating in a pond of sugar syrup, with the tiny figures rowing a boat over them. In the background, more miniature workers are seen carting, collecting, and shaping ingredients such as dry fruits and nuts. Ladders, cranes, and other construction machinery are cleverly incorporated into the scenes, making the process look like a grand culinary project.

Social media reacts with admiration and humor

The video has sparked a wave of reactions in the comment section. While many users expressed awe and appreciation for the imaginative concept, others found it humorous. Some of the top comments included:

  • “Wow, so beautiful.”
  • “Can’t stop watching it. It’s amazing.”
  • “Get me a ticket to this city.”
  • “Love the imagination.”
  • “No hygiene at all… people are walking on laddoos!”

Some viewers even drew comparisons to the world of ants, while others humorously pointed out concerns about hygiene in this whimsical world of sweets.

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Entertainment

Kiara Advani exits Don 3 after pregnancy announcement, says report

Kiara Advani has reportedly exited Don 3 following her pregnancy announcement. However, an official confirmation is still awaited.

Published

16 hours ago

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March 6, 2025

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Kiara Advani exits Don 3 after pregnancy news

Bollywood actress Kiara Advani has reportedly stepped away from Ranveer Singh-starrer Don 3 following her pregnancy announcement with husband Sidharth Malhotra. The actress was earlier confirmed as the female lead in Farhan Akhtar’s much-anticipated film.

No official confirmation from the makers yet

As per a report, Kiara Advani has chosen to prioritize her personal life over Don 3. However, there has been no official confirmation from either the actress or the makers of the film regarding her exit. Last year, Excel Entertainment welcomed Kiara to the Don universe through a social media announcement, but no details about her role were disclosed.

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra’s pregnancy announcement

Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra shared the joyful news of their pregnancy last week with a heartwarming post on social media. The couple posted an image featuring a pair of tiny socks, captioning it, “The greatest gift of our lives. Coming soon.” Fans and industry colleagues showered the couple with congratulatory messages.

Kiara’s upcoming projects

While stepping away from Don 3, Kiara Advani is currently wrapping up War 2, where she will be seen alongside Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. She is also working on Toxic, starring Kannada superstar Yash.

Beyond these confirmed projects, speculation is rife regarding Kiara’s involvement in Shakti Shalini and Dhoom 4, both set for a 2026 release. Whether she will continue with these projects or take a break remains to be seen, with an official announcement awaited.

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