"The sea of lights in New Manipur" :::::: If it's Dhanyavad ... for Assam Rifles in Manipur's valley ::: It's "Kalaw mein" in Kuki-Hmar belt in Churachandpur -- 'New Manipur' showing the way with a Solidarity March

Martyrdom do not go wasted.

'New Manipur' ---- "a land of gems" as Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sept 13th ....

'each citizen - a Mani ... that's GEM !

The violence and ethnic-clash hit state shows the way ... a completely new way .... 

SOLIDARITY MARCH

with the Assam Rifles !!  

Candle Light vigil and floral tribute to pay homage to the bravehearts organised by about  150 natives and Meira Paibi volunteers of Singjamei at Singjamei Chowk 

Candle light March held at Chandrakong 

Similar demonstration and floral tributes reported from Zila Sainik Kalayan Board office complex Chandel

and also in Tengnoupal district HQ

Lamka /Churachandpur: 

Candlelight Vigil and Solidarity March for Martyred Assam Rifles Soldiers

Thousands of Kuki-Zo people and other residents of Lamka (Churachandpur) turned out in a massive show of solidarity, holding a candlelight vigil and peace march to honor the Assam Rifles soldiers martyred in Sept 19 ambush.

The solemn procession began at the Public Ground of Hiangtam Lamka and made its way to the Peace Ground in Tuibong, reports said. 

With moist eyes and with candles in hand, participants—men, women, and youth alike—walked in silence, carrying banners and the national flag. 

The sea of lights through the streets symbolized mourning, resilience, and a collective commitment to stand with the armed forces.

The tribute comes a day after suspected valley-based insurgent groups ambushed an Assam Rifles convoy in Nambol, resulting in the martyrdom of two soldiers and leaving five others critically injured. 

The incident has sent shockwaves across the region, heightening grief and concern among the people.

Community leaders, student organizations, church bodies, and civil society representatives joined the march. Speakers described the soldiers as martyrs whose ultimate sacrifice upheld peace and national security, urging the community to remain united in honoring their memory.

The solemn program concluded at the Peace Ground with prayers and messages of gratitude for the bravery of the soldiers, reinforcing the spirit of unity and resilience in the face of tragedy.

The 'friendship and brotherhood' of Assam Rifles with local population is legendary.

By its history it has never been in search of a township to settle or set up its camps. Rather the townships have most of the time - if not all - developed around the Assam Rifles camps.

These have been the case in towns like Kohima, Wokha, Mokokchung in Nagaland, Imphal in Manipur, Serchip and Aizawl in Mizoram, Shillong in Meghalaya and also several rural hamlets.

Modi's 75 years of Life .... 11 plus years of Governance as PM ::: Hindutva is today one the main planks of Indian politics

Narendra Modi has changed the manner Indians will do politics. He has also changed the manner - the mass Indians are thinking today and will be probably thinking at least next two decades.

All of it did not come easy. Namo himself has come up the ladder - hard way. A man from OBC community and he emerged as a political star and icon of a party -- that is guided by the RSS, which was known for pushing Brahminism.  

Even the BJP not long ago was called - the Baniya-Brahmin party. 

He has almost legitimised the slogan 'Jai Shri Ram'. Today its is a salutation even on Whatsapp.

Perhaps the RSS’s 'mindlset' on caste and social justice has changed over the decades. In 2015, Mohan Bhagwat called for a review of the Reservation policy. In the process, the BJP paid a heavy price electorally. Now both the BJP and the RSS are all defending the continuation of the reservation policy.

Modi even agreed to Rahul Gandhi's demand for caste census.

But over all the society and polity is Polarised. Either you are pro-Modi or you are impressed by Rahul Gandhi's 'vote chori' charge. Either you are pro-Hindutva or may be you are anti-Hindu. 

In 2014, after the Congress debacle, a noted Christian leader in the grand old party A K Antony said that the party has already got a tag 'anti-Hindu' and that has completely eroded its support base. 

Hindutva and RSS are at the centre stages. Even while discussing about who would be UP Home Minister or Gujarat Finance Minister - often the debate is -- whom will the Sangh fountainhead push. 

BJP and RSS observers agree that no social organisation in independent Bharat enjoy as much power and as much legitimaacy as the RSS does.

It has number of vice chancellor and Governors from its cadres.

Even the selection of India's new vice president -- was based on how much deep and organic connections he has with the Sangh. 

New Vice President: Radhakrishnan, a RSS leader 

But there has been a paradox.

Modi along with Amit Shah have also ensured that the party has today bases across India and even deputy chief minister Nagaland is a local BJP man. 

The Prime Minister has also made a strong pitch for introducing a genuinely 'secular personal code' (Uniform Civil Code) 

---- applicable to all Indians, ending the religion-based norms to govern marriage, adoption, divorce and inheritance.

True, this may not be a very surprising development as Modi's Hindu nationalist BJP had been campaigning on these lines since 1980s.

Along with the UCC, the BJP wanted abrogation of Art 370 in Kashmir ans also construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya.

What might have caught many of Modi's  friends and foes by surprise was Modi's neo- but characteristic confdence :

“A large section of the country believes — and it is true — that the Civil Code that we are living with is actually a communal civil code in a way."

In true sense, the table has been turned. This is perhaps seen as one of the "biggest assaults" on the Nehruvian secularism cherished by left-liberals and Sickulars and also by minorities including Christians and Muslims.

"Modi has sought to redefine Indian politics in the realms of an entirely new secular-communal narrative," says Varanasi-based pro-right wing analyst Tushar Bhadra. Journalist Harsh Vardhan says, "Modi has changed the political agenda of the last 75 years as pursued by his rivals."

However, others disagree with what the prime minister said. Christians are opposed to the UCC. Earlier this year during the election season, the Federation of Catholic Associations of the Archdiocese of Delhi stated that a “united” nation need not necessarily have “uniformity.”

Many Muslim leaders see the UCC as interference with centuries-old Islamic practices, including polygamy and instant divorce. Some others consider a common code as “a violation of the fundamental right of religious freedom" as guaranteed in the Indian Constitution.

"This UCC is like a hot air balloon being floated to somehow distract people and polarise society," remarked Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate.

*** Different prism:

"Hindu nationalism is a political ideology that dates back to the 19th century. It encompassed a broad range of groups but at its core is a belief that Indian national identity and culture are inseparable from the Hindu religion. 

It began to gain prominence in the early 20th century as part of the independence movement in India, which sought to separate itself from the identity of British colonial rule and the Islamic Mughal dynasty, which had previously governed India from the 16th century."  -- Hannah Ellis-Petersen in 'The Guardian' 

A few years ago, in an open letter to Modi;  one Pune-based gentleman write in a news magazine 

- "Prime Minister, you understand better than many others, that the people of this country want to move away from divisive politics .... The future is something that you have articulated - of Development. Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. 

You have seen the consequences of Communal polarisation - as in 2002 -when Hindu-Muslim riots swept Gujarat".    

Neerja Chowdhury:

(in 'Indian Express') 

"Like the Sangh, the BJP too may have to shift gear and avoid the politics of polarisation even if it is tempting electorally in the short run. 

From the BJP’s perspective, the “Hindu-isation of Hindus” has taken place and there may be diminishing returns in playing this card again and again. 

Now, many expect the PM to focus on governance and bring a new energy and freshness to his ministerial team as well as the party organisation, starting with the appointment of a new party president".

She also says under Balasaheb Deoras, the 'change' began in the RSS and more or less Mohan Bhagwat is only a 'moderate' champion of Hindutva. 

UCC and its 'nuanced' debates:

Parsis do not recognize the rights of adoptive daughters but allow an adopted son to perform the last rites for the father.

A section of the Christian community, like the Catholic Church, does not recognize divorce.

The Christian divorce law makes a separation period of two years mandatory for any couple to get a mutual divorce, while the Succession Act of 1925 gives Christian mothers no right to the property of their deceased kids.

In Christian-majority Nagaland state in the northeast, the indigenous Naga tribal people follow extreme male chauvinism in certain matters despite their adopting Christianity and being English-educated.

In some societies, women do not have rights to their husbands' wealth after their death; their brothers share it.

Under the Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act of 1936, any woman who marries someone from another religion loses all rights to Parsi rituals and customs.

However, left to Modi and his party, the UCC is a noble concept based on equity.

In July 2023 while addressing party cadres in Madhya Pradesh, Modi said that "two laws in a house [read country] is not acceptable."

Modi also linked his party's UCC project to women's rights, especially for Muslims, suggesting the practice of Islamic laws encourages discrimination against Muslim women. 

Reports suggest the Congress party in 2023 discussed the issue among themselves and tried to present a nuanced view.

After the meeting attended by the former home minister, P Chidambaram, and other legal luminaries, it was made clear that while “uniform inheritance laws” could be supported; the Congress will oppose any imposition of "Hinduized uniformity." 

ends 

Huge fallout against wrongdoers for Sept 19 Nambol ambush ::: Locals stage demonstration :: Kuki Zo Council targets 'Meitei Militant groups' ... says "For decades, Meiteis have exploited & monopolized development funds"

Reports reaching here in Delhi say there have been large scale condemnation of the now infamous Nambol ambush on 'flood relief workers' of Assam Rifles.

Demonstrators termed the assault on Assam Rifles - otherwise known in the region as the 'Friends of the Hill people' - as a cowardly attack. 

Influential Meira Paibi volunteers and leaders staged demonstration at various places.

A large group of women staged sit-in demonstration carrying placards such as - 'We Condemn the attack' 

"We pray our deepest respect to the martyrs and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," one demonstrator said. 

Another woman protester lamented: "Violence only brings pain - Peace and Justice must prevail". 

                             Rifleman (GD) Ranjeet Singh Kashyap (Bastar, Chhattisgarh) -                                        Martyr 

There are four injured and two Assam Rifles bravehearts Nb Sub (GD) Shyam Gurung (East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya) and  Rifleman (GD) Ranjeet Singh Kashyap (Bastar, Chhattisgarh) made supreme sacrifice.

                        Nb Sub (GD) Shyam Gurung (East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya) 'made                                 supreme sacrifice'

Injured Soldiers include one local Meitei

Ningthoukhongjam Nongthon (48)

S/o N. Ibomcha

Keibi khulen,I/E Dist.

D J Dutta (36)

S/o Lakhiyam Dutta

Assam Lakhimpur

Driver

Hav BK Rai (58)

S/o Birjai Rai 

Sikkim

LP Sangma(46)

S/o L Waitstick  S Momin

Tura

Subashchandra Warrant Officer 

S/o Gundilal

Uttarakhand  

DG Assam Rifles, Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera and all ranks of Assam Rifles paid  solemn tribute to two brave hearts !!

Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) strongly condemned: 

The Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) strongly condemned the cowardly and brutal attack on the convoy of Assam Rifles by suspected militants at Nambol Sabal Leikai in Bishnupur district an area notably not under AFSPA.

The ambush, which claimed the lives of two Assam Rifles personnel and left five others critically injured, once again exposes the violent, anti-national, and secessionist character of the militant groups, it said.

"This savage incident brings back the painful memory of the killing of Colonel Viplav Tripathi, his wife, and young son by Meitei militants in 2021," the statement said.

"Such repeated assaults on India's security forces are not isolated cases but part of a continuing pattern of hostility against the Indian State by armed Meitei groups. 

History has shown time and again that these militants reject the idea of India and thrive on violence and terror.

"What the majority Meitei did to the minority Kuki-Zo community in 2023 further testifies to their inhuman and barbaric nature. 

More than 250 innocent Kuki-Zo lives were taken; women were raped; bodies cut into pieces; over 7,000 homes and 360 places of worship were reduced to ashes; and more than 40,000 people were chased away from their homes. 

These are not mere conflicts but acts of ethnic cleansing. Such atrocities reflect not only the brutality of the Meiteis but also the complete absence of humanity, sympathy, and compassion in their actions."

The statement also said:

"For decades, the Meitei have also exploited and monopolized development funds intended for the tribals of the hills, leaving our people deprived and neglected. 

Now, their project has extended to the systematic expulsion of the Kuki-Zo people from their lands. The cumulative evidence of violence, discrimination, and oppression makes it abundantly clear that peaceful coexistence under the same administrative framework with the Meiteis is no longer possible.

We earnestly urge the Government of India to recognize the gravity of the situation and pave the way for a political settlement at the earliest." 

ends 

Why 'force' yourself to say 'Rio Zindabad' ??? 12 'wise men' - Nagaland BJP legislators .... Stuck in Present 'burdened by the past' ::: Clueless how to beat "Regional Dadagiri of sheer Power Hunger"

They have a tough job at hand.

It’s not too late to puncture the 'regional' ------ Cock balloon. 

It may come Faster than most imagined.

More perplexing would be to question 'how many' factions of BJP MLAs in Nagaland?

It could be anything between six and 12 out of the dozen MLAs elected in 2023 polls. Left to their 'regional dada' - NDPP (about to NPF) -- the Lotus party score card in Nagaland should have been '0' or 2 as was in 2008 or as it continues in Meghalaya !! Each MLA and minister (of BJP) is working like an island !!

Ask 'A' about B -- the response could be "Naa jane ho".

Ask C about D, E or F - the response be "misa misi asey ho".

Leave MLAs - go to the BJP organisation in Nagaland - It's clearly Bolero ride and spirit and the combo -- and the slogan is 

--- "Rio Zindabad".  

The NDPP first managed a 40:20 seat adjustment in a non-transparent conspiracy hatched with the blessings of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Next came - two great 'snatching' ... extorting and BJP's self goals in Pughoboto and Chizami.

Pughoboto seat went to Dr A Sukhato of LJP (Ram Bilas) and K G Kenye picked up in a fierce battle from Chizami.

Seats were most 'unethically' taken away by the NDPP and even allegedly the name of Isak Chishi Swu (a dead militant leader) was abused !! 

Then came in repeated double-games. On Sept 12, 2024 under a well hatched conspiracy (inspired from jungles of Manipur possibly) - a virtual no confidence was expressed on the functioning of the Union Home Ministry and the powerful aide of PM - Shri Amit Shah.

The Nagaland council of ministers and including members of 'party with a difference' said peace interlocutor A K Mishra -- appointed with full blessings and green signal from Shah - should be replaced.

In Nov 22, 2024 -- there was a snub.

But bullet-proof jackets teach you one lesson - you grow up to be water proof !!

Subsequently, Shah even declined to meet once or twice.

But on July 19 - at a meeting in Delhi -- apparently, Amit Shah was informed by NDPP stalwart (and a dream-boy of NPF) - Mr Rio - that the merger will take place. 

The catch point was --  

"Tai eku reply dia nae (Shah did not respond)," Rio told his party colleagues (on Sept 12, 2025 at Kohima).

No reply from Amit Shah -- may not mean --- 'why should I bother' !!

It also could be --

"Accha yeh baat hae 

*(So much is your audacity). 

Someone is nervous at Kohima and hence this July 19 meeting was flagged off - out of no where.

Politically, the timing is right for BJP MLAs in Nagaland.

Hit ... while the 'iron is hot'. You only have to make a beginning.

NPF's general convention is on Oct 21.

A month is good enough to change the course of politics and developmental journey.

Otherwise - you all had it .... for two-three years -- the Lotus will vanish from Nagaland. And most of you can launch

websites --- 

'Careerover @ Hoishey.com' 

or any other names. 

As elected BJP MLAs; we can tell you from Delhi ---- in days and months to come you do not have to take orders from Mani Shankar Aiyar !! 

Unhappiness is extreme and common people have almost given up. This helplessness is not good.   

Opportunities and challenges are coming to you or have already come; you either fight back or .....   

July 2017 -- only to Tease Hindutva forces .... Is that Regionalism ?

Tail piece :

In Delhi, the BJP and the ideological guru the RSS know the NPF as a party that ... also hosted a beef party in Kohima. 

Media reports claimed workers of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) held a beef fest at the NPF central office to protest the “partisan” Governor P B Acharya.  

 “…  And so, to celebrate your latest political coup, and to mark the severance of ties with your political party the BJP, we are organising a beef feast (Your Excellency knows Nagas are voracious meat eaters) this evening and would like to take this opportunity to invite you to cancel some of your not-so-official engagements in political scheming and to come and join us for dinner at the NPF central office,” the NPF youth wing had said in a statement in 2017. 

(New Indian Express) 

See Link

Politically it does not matter, what people eat ? Kiren Rijiju is a beef eater and is a minister in the Modi Govt since 2014. But important is 'what's the intent' ? What is your Big Picture message ? 

There is eternity is every political step ? 

Is there a beef party again at Kohima in October ???

ends 

Post Birthday greetings from Trump for Namo : Trade Talks put on a Faster track ..... A team of officials led by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to visit Washington asap

It has been decided to "intensify efforts" to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement between India and the US : Govt of  India  

PM Narendra Modi has called the US and India “natural partners” and that both sides would “work together to secure a brighter, more prosperous future”.

A team of officials led by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is expected to visit Washington soon to resume negotiations for a trade deal. 

The talks were delayed and almost derailed after US president Donald Trump imposed a total 50 per cent tariff taxes on India. But things seemed to have improved after the birthday wishes tele chat between Trump and Narendra Modi.  

The 'general improvement' is also a coincident after the US team, led by Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch, visited New Delhi earlier this week.

Talks will also be carried on at the political level by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio when they meet on the sidelines of the UNGA next week. 

Prime Minister Modi is giving  UNGA this year a miss.

Piyush Goyal 

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said, “A team from United States Trade Representative, led by Assistant USTR Brendan Lynch, had meetings at the Ministry of Commerce on September 16 to take forward the ongoing negotiations for a trade deal with the US. 

The discussions were positive and forward looking covering various aspects of the trade deal. It was decided to intensify efforts to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement.”

Incidentally, on September 16, the day the trade talks were held in New Delhi, President Donald Trump telephoned Prime Minister Narendra Modi to wish him on his 75th birthday the next day. 

The Prime Minister said - he is “fully committed” to taking the Indo-US partnership to “new heights”.

On Thursday, Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran said that additional US tariffs of 25 per cent on India levied over the purchase of Russian oil would not continue beyond November 30.

Signs of easing trade tensions began emerging earlier this month when Trump said India and US were “continuing negotiations to address the trade barriers”, and he was “certain” there would be “no difficulty” in the talks being successful.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said in Patna on Sept 11 that -- the Indo-US trade talks progressing well and 'first breakthrough' may come in November 2025. 

ends 

'Missing the Doctrine of Gratitude' !! :: Manipur ambush on selfless 'Flood Relief Workers' of Assam Rifles is a case of betrayal of the very spirit of compassion

It's impossible for a society or any organisation and a 'security system' to predict every wrong that will be done by mischievous and ill-intended people.  

The Assam Rifles, deployed across Manipur (like any other state in the north east of India) have been relentlessly working to restore peace and stability amidst ongoing inter-community tensions. 

DG Assam Rifles, Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera and all ranks of Assam Rifles pay solemn tribute to two brave hearts !!

**

Their operations, conducted in close coordination with local police, target insurgent elements and anti-national miscreants who thrive on extortion and fear of the common people. These soldiers have consistently demonstrated restraint and professionalism, even in volatile environments where civilian safety remains paramount.  

Nb Sub (GD) Shyam Gurung (East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya) 'made supreme sacrifice'

This act of Sept 19 (2025) at Nambol - not far from Imphal - driven by malice and hate, targeted men who had spent their day providing flood relief to the very communities now mourning their sacrifice. 

    Rifleman (GD) Ranjeet Singh Kashyap (Bastar, Chhattisgarh) - Martyr 

In a tweet - Assam Rifles and Defence forces said : 

" We bow in deepest respect to Nb Sub (GD) Shyam Gurung (East Khasi Hills, #Meghalaya) & Rifleman (GD) Ranjeet Singh Kashyap (Bastar, Chhattisgarh) of #Assam Rifles, who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty at Bishnupur, #Manipur 

🫡 Their courage will inspire generations. #India stands with their families in this hour of grief." 

One can easily say that it was 'deeply disheartening' that a cowardly attack was perpetrated under the cover of darkness in a "De-notified AFSPA zone" — an area where retaliation could have endangered innocent lives. 

This was not just an attack on a unit—it is an affront to the spirit of service, compassion and unity that Assam Rifles embodies. 

Hopefully, the society by and large, intellectuals including the local media in particular and the people of Manipur will rise to the occasion. 

It may be time now to "expose the perpetrators". 

And as well - such wrong doers should be named and shamed. It is these kinds of people who seek to 'destabilize peace'. 

Let not their cowardice go unanswered -- if one say little assertively. 

For the people of Imphal, people of Manipur and the rest of India -- it is time to stand together — not just in grief, but in resolve. 

Let us honor the Assam Rifles not only with words, but with action. Let their sacrifice ignite a movement for justice, unity, and enduring peace.  

It may be pointed out for the knowledge and consumption of a larger audience; that most often going beyond their security mandate, the Assam Rifles have emerged as a transformative force in Manipur’s social landscape. 

They are called 'Friends of the Hill people' -- not without good reasons. 

Their efforts to combat drug trafficking, illicit liquor trade, and substance abuse have been instrumental in protecting the youth and nurturing a healthier society. 

Their role in securing the Indo-Myanmar border—often in treacherous terrain and remote outposts—underscores their unmatched dedication and grit.

What truly sets Assam Rifles apart is their humanitarian outreach. 

From flood relief and medical aid to clean water initiatives and solar lighting, their benevolent acts have touched countless lives. 

Their commitment to inclusive development is evident in their support for skill-building, education, and cultural engagement—empowering young minds across all communities and genders.

It is therefore unconscionable that such a heinous act was committed against these very men who had spent their day providing flood relief to affected citizens. The timing and location of the attack—designed to prevent retaliation and maximize harm—reveal a malicious intent that must be condemned in the strongest terms.

ends 

"unidentified terrorists" strike on the Highway in Manipur ::: "As of now, no group has claimed responsibility" ::: Guv Bhalla condemns ambush ::: 'Supreme sacrifice' made by two Assam Rifles jawans : Five injured .... reinforcement teams scanning the area

The essential tool for central forces the 'Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA' does not apply to Nambol, where the ambush happened on Friday (Sept 19) 

This falls under Bishnupur district and not far from state capital Imphal. 

Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla on Friday strongly condemned the attack on security forces this evening, in which "two brave jawans of the Assam Rifles made the supreme sacrifice" in the line of duty.

"The Governor expressed profound grief and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the martyred soldiers, acknowledging their unwavering courage and dedication in protecting the nation. He further conveyed prayers for the speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries in the incident," a Raj Bhavan statement said.

**

Sources said, on Sept 19th, at around 5:50 pm, a vehicle based column of troops of 33 Assam Rifles unit was moving on National Highway 2 during hours of darkness in heavy built up area. 

In general area, Nambol Sabal Leikai, the column was ambushed by "unidentified terrorists" on the Highway, in the denotified area of Manipur. 

In the ensuing action, two personnel of Assam Rifles were martyred and five are injured who have since been evacuated to RIMS and currently stable. 

"As of now, no group has claimed responsibility. Search operations are ongoing to eliminate the terrorists involved in the incident," sources said. 

***

The Governor reaffirmed that such heinous acts of violence will not be tolerated under any circumstances and warned that they will be "met with the strongest resolve" to safeguard peace and stability in the region.

Security sources said the convoy came under sudden and heavy gunfire, forcing the personnel to take cover and return fire.

Casualties and injuries reported.

One Assam Rifles jawan is reported to be in critical condition, initial reports said.

Afew others sustained injuries. All injured personnel have been shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The area has been cordoned off, and a search operation is underway to track down the assailants. Additional security forces have been rushed to the spot.The attack has come amid heightened security in Manipur, which has been on edge due to recurring violence and unrest in several districts since May 2023.