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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.

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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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Cricket news

India vs England T20 series 2025: Complete guide to matches, squads, and streaming info

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Promotional image for India vs England 2025 T20 series featuring match details

After wrapping up two months of intense Test cricket, Team India is ready to transition to the white-ball format with the much-anticipated five-match T20 series against England. This series not only offers India a chance to regroup after some challenging Test matches but also sets the stage for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the same opponent and the ICC Champions Trophy later in the year.

Series Schedule and Venues: The action begins at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata and will move through four other major cricketing venues across India. Each match promises to be a display of high-octane cricket under the lights, with start times pegged at 7 PM IST to maximize audience engagement both at the grounds and on television.

Full Schedule:

  • 22 January: 1st T20I at Eden Gardens, Kolkata
  • 25 January: 2nd T20I at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
  • 28 January: 3rd T20I at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot
  • 31 January: 4th T20I at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
  • 2 February: 5th T20I at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Head-to-Head Record: India and England have a competitive T20I history with India leading slightly with 13 wins to England’s 11 in 24 matches. In India, the record is also closely contested, with England winning 9 of their 17 matches on Indian soil.

Viewing Options: Fans can catch all the live action on the Star Sports Network, and streaming is available on Disney Plus Hotstar. This accessibility ensures that fans won’t miss a moment of this enthralling series.

Detailed Squad Information:

India’s Squad:

  • Suryakumar Yadav (Captain): The dynamic batsman leads the team, known for his innovative stroke play.
  • Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper): A versatile player known for his aggressive batting and sharp wicketkeeping skills.
  • Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy: Young talents who have shown promise in domestic circuits.
  • Hardik Pandya: An all-rounder known for his ability to change the game with both bat and ball.
  • Axar Patel, Washington Sundar: Skilled spinners who can also contribute with the bat.
  • Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh: Emerging fast bowlers expected to bring energy and pace.
  • Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi: Experienced in their roles, crucial for their bowling attack.
  • Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper): Another young wicketkeeper with impressive domestic performances.

England’s Squad:

  • Jos Buttler (Captain): The explosive wicketkeeper-batsman leads the English side with his aggressive play.
  • Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith: Formidable batters known for their fast scoring.
  • Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed: Young players who bring fresh energy and skills.
  • Liam Livingstone: A powerful all-rounder known for hitting long sixes and bowling effective spin.
  • Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood: A strong bowling lineup with a mix of pace and spin, crucial for T20 format.

With both teams featuring a blend of seasoned internationals and exciting new talent, the T20 series is expected to be a closely contested affair. As the squads gear up for this high-profile series, the cricketing world eagerly awaits to see if India can maintain their formidable form in T20s or if England can disrupt their winning streak on Indian soil.

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Gadgets

Oppo Find N5 set to launch with 50W wireless charging and IPX9 water resistance

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Oppo Find N5 being tested underwater to showcase its IPX9 water resistance rating.

Oppo has officially confirmed that its latest innovation, the Find N5, will support 50W wireless charging and feature an IPX9 water resistance rating. The announcement comes as part of a series of teases highlighting the capabilities of this next-generation foldable smartphone, set to launch in February.

According to recent leaks, the Find N5 will be the first smartphone to incorporate the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC, signaling significant performance enhancements. Pete Lau, Oppo’s Chief Product Officer, has touted the device as the “thinnest foldable phone,” positioning it against leading competitors like the latest iPhone in terms of sleek design.

Zhou Yibao, head of the Oppo Find series, shared insights via Weibo about the Find N5’s advanced features. The device not only matches the wireless charging speeds of newly released models like the Oppo Find X8 Pro and OnePlus 13 but also integrates seamlessly with in-car systems from major electric vehicle brands such as BYD and NIO.

In a compelling demonstration of its durability, a recent video posted by Yibao showed the Find N5 being submerged underwater, showcasing its capability to withstand significant water exposure, evidenced by its IPX9 rating. This test included recording underwater videos, highlighting the phone’s versatile camera capabilities in extreme conditions.

The Find N5 also sports a refined design with slimmer borders and a larger overall form factor compared to its predecessors, which could attract users looking for a sleek yet robust foldable phone.

As anticipation builds, Oppo has begun sharing images of the Find N5, revealing a foldable design as thin as a USB-C port when opened. This device promises to merge aesthetic appeal with functional excellence, setting a new benchmark in the evolving foldable phone market.

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India News

Saif Ali Khan out of hospital six days after stabbing at his residence

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Detained individual linked to the stabbing of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan being escorted by police.

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has returned to his home after being discharged from the hospital, where he was treated for injuries sustained from a stabbing incident at his residence last week. The actor, known for his roles in films such as “Dil Chahta Hai” and “Tanhaji,” was reportedly attacked unexpectedly in his home, leading to his hospitalization.

The incident, which sent shockwaves through the Bollywood community and his fanbase, occurred late at night and resulted in multiple injuries for Khan. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he received immediate medical attention. The specifics of the incident, including the motive and the identity of the assailant, have not been publicly disclosed by the authorities.

During his stay at the hospital, Khan was under constant medical supervision and underwent several treatments to address his injuries. His discharge comes after a six-day period of intensive care, indicating a stable recovery.

Family members and representatives of Khan have expressed their gratitude to the medical team for their efforts and to fans for their support and well wishes during this challenging time. While the actor has been released from the hospital, he is expected to continue his recovery at home under the guidance of his personal doctors.

The Mumbai Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, and further details are expected to be released as the investigation progresses.

This troubling event has sparked a conversation about the safety of public figures and the pressures they face. As Khan recuperates at home, the film industry and his supporters worldwide hope for his full recovery and return to the silver screen.

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