Manipur Update

130th Birth Anniversary of Lamyanba Irabot Celebrated at Khangabok; Book Released

Sept 13, 2026 (Thoubal): The 130th birth anniversary of people's leader Hijam Irabot was celebrated today at Tampha Sanglen, Khangabok Part (I) Awang, organized by the Irawat Celebration Committee, Khangabok Local Council, CPI.

The programme began with the public offering floral tributes to the photograph of the Lamyanba and to the photographs of former people's leader of Khangabok AC, Thokchom Achouba, and other leaders.

Secretary of the Manipur State Council, CPI, Athokpam Nabachandra Singh; Member of the Control Commission of the Manipur State Council, CPI, B. Nabakishor Sharma; and communist leader from Khangabok, Thokchom Sanajaoba Singh, participated as presidium members in today's programme.

CPI Thoubal District Council Secretary Leisangthem Kshetra Singh and CPI leader Dr. Sanasam Subhamenon spoke in detail as resource persons on the life history of people's leader Irabot and the various roles taken by the Lamyanba for the welfare of the people of both the hills and valley of the state.

As part of the programme, a book titled "Manipur gi Apunba Saktam Da Singnarakpa Amasung Manipur gi Tung Gi Lambi," written by renowned writer Bhorot Sanasam in both Bengali and Meitei Mayek scripts, was also formally released. The book is published by Heikham Rajen from Lamding Sorokhaibam Leikai on behalf of Tampha Foundation, Khangabok.

Speaking in connection with the programme, the resource persons, recalling many qualities of Lamyanba Irabot, said there is no doubt that the Manipur we see today is the gift of Jana Neta Hijam Irabot.

In September 1948, when the Government of India was planning to merge Mizoram, Tripura, Cachar district, Dima Hasao district and Manipur of the Northeast to form a state called Purbanchal Pradesh (North Eastern Province), Manipur was about to be lost. While one or two political parties agreed to the formation of Purbanchal Pradesh, people's leader Hijam Irabot opposed it. It was because Irabot, with the support of the people, confronted the Central Government and reversed the decision that today's Manipur exists.

They also said that, to save the motherland, he even left the post of MLA, and as an exile, he could not even die in his homeland in the last stage of his life; he breathed his last in Burma.

Plastic menace on school road draws community action at Heirok

September 13, 2026 : Turning concern over mounting plastic waste into community action, EcoNetwork Manipur has launched a cleanliness drive along the road in front of Heirok Higher Secondary School in Thoubal district.

EcoNetwork Manipur volunteers, joined by local residents, cleared plastic waste and other discarded materials that had accumulated along the roadside, turning what was once a clean stretch into an increasingly unhygienic area.
The organisation said indiscriminate dumping of used plastic items and other waste had not only degraded the surroundings but could also pose risks to public health and the environment.

The cleanliness drive was organised as part of EcoNetwork Manipur’s ongoing social service activities aimed at promoting environmental awareness and responsible waste disposal.
The organisation said similar Mega Social Service Camps would be conducted continuously in Heirok Part III and other areas, in collaboration with local clubs, students of Heirok Higher Secondary School, and NCC cadets.

EcoNetwork Manipur appealed to residents to stop indiscriminate dumping and dispose of plastic and other waste responsibly.

It stressed that collective participation was essential to building a cleaner environment and ensuring a healthier future for all.

Govt Appeals Against Closure of Offices Amid JFD NRC Agitation

IMPHAL, September 13, 2026: The Manipur Government has appealed to the Campaign for Justice and Fair Delimitation (JFD) to call off its agitation seeking the closure of Central and State government offices in connection with the demand for updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Government spokespersons Th. Radheshyam and Sapam Ranjan Singh made the appeal at a press meet held at the Durbar Hall of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat at Babupara, Imphal, on Sunday.

📌 Full story link in the comment section ⬇️

Raging fire breaks out in Nagaram area in Imphal

Sept 13, 2026 (IMP): A raging fire that broke out in the Nagaram area in Imphal has caused damage to some houses this afternoon on Sunday, and locals of the area immediately rushed to the site to douse the raging flames before the arrival of the firefighters' squad.

How the fire came into being cannot be ascertained while filing this report from the spot, and the extent of property damage caused by the fire also cannot be ascertained. However, nearby locals say there are no reports of human injuries in the fire. More reports on the incident are still awaited.

US Ambassador Sergio Enjoys Boat Ride in Loktak Lake; Discusses Strengthening Good Ties with India

Sept 13, 2026 (IMP): The US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, who visited the picturesque ‘Loktak’ Lake a day after his visit to Manipur on Saturday, apprised himself of the pristine beauty of the largest freshwater lake of Manipur, nestled in Manipur’s Bishnupur district.

The US Ambassador also enjoyed a boat ride during his visit to the largest freshwater lake on Saturday, and he was accompanied by US Consul General in Kolkata Kathy Giles-Diaz.
Gor also met Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and discussed the importance of continued engagement between India and the United States. It has also been reported that they discussed strengthening engagement and expanding economic ties between the United States and India.

"Enjoyed hearing from Chief Minister about his vision for Manipur. We exchanged ideas about how the U.S. and India can work together to expand economic ties. The Chief Minister very kindly invited me back for the Manipur Sangai Festival," Gor said in a post on X. Meanwhile, Khemchand Singh said he had discussed relations between the United States and Manipur with the US envoy.

The meetings in Manipur followed Gor’s recent visit to Darjeeling after an invitation from Rajya Sabha MP, former Foreign Secretary, and former Indian Ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

DM University PhD Research Scholars Left in a Lurch with No Stipend Entitlement

Sept 12, 2016 (IMP): PhD research scholars of the state-owned DM University in Imphal have been left in the lurch after the state government has disastrously failed to provide stipends/fellowships for the scholars of the university.

The hunger strike launched on September 9 by PhD scholars of the university, demanding their legitimate entitlement, has entered its fourth day. In the course of the prolonged ongoing strike, two women scholars who were on strike were also admitted to JNIMS Hospital after their health deteriorated. However, they have reportedly been discharged from the hospital and returned to the protest site.

The protesting PhD scholars have appealed to the authorities to intervene urgently and resolve their demands before the health condition of more scholars deteriorates.

According to an unconfirmed report, at least 792 research scholars have also received their rightful basic research requirements during the years 2022, 2024, and 2026.

Expressing their anguish and disappointment, the protesting scholars appealed to the authorities to intervene urgently and resolve their demands before the health condition of more scholars deteriorates. They warned that the government remaining tight-lipped, with no action to address the crisis, may invite more serious and continuous intensification of democratic protests until their demands are met.