World
Taekwondo instructor aims to bring peace to troubled Indian state
The ability of Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Manipur’s new chief minister, to restore stability to the state is a subject of debate.
India's northeastern state of Manipur has emerged from a year of direct federal rule, which was introduced in response to ethnic violence that resulted in over 260 fatalities, and now has a new chief minister.
Last week, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who holds a fifth-dan black belt in taekwondo, was sworn in as the state's new leader, tasked with addressing the lingering impact of clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.
The aftermath of the 2023 violence has seen the communities largely separated, with many residents confined to specific areas and thousands forced to leave their homes, leading to a protracted displacement crisis.
Apart from his background in taekwondo, which he has taught for years, Singh is also an experienced politician with ties to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ideological parent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), although he only entered electoral politics relatively recently, at the age of 62.
As a member of the BJP, Singh was first elected to office in 2017 and has since held various roles, including assembly speaker and state minister, with responsibilities spanning education, rural development, and other key portfolios.
As he assumes leadership of a state facing significant challenges, the key issue is whether he can play a role in restoring stability.
Views on his potential impact are mixed, with some residents and experts in Manipur expressing optimism about his ability to lead, while others are more cautious in their assessment.
According to Pradip Phanjoubam, editor of the Imphal Review of Arts and Politics magazine, it is too early to make a definitive judgment, and the coming weeks will be important in determining the trajectory of events, he said in an interview with the BBC.
Despite the change in leadership, underlying tensions in Manipur persist, indicating that the road to resolution will be complex.
A recent incident on 21 January, in which a member of the Meitei community was fatally attacked in a Kuki-Zo-dominated area, highlights the ongoing nature of the conflict, which has been marked by a series of violent incidents.
Protests erupted in Manipur's Churachandpur district just hours after Singh was sworn in on 4 February, resulting in blocked roads and the closure of markets and offices.
The formation of the new government, which included the participation of certain Kuki-Zo legislators, was met with condemnation from Kuki-Zo civil society groups and student organisations, who viewed it as a breach of trust and reiterated their call for a distinct administrative setup in areas predominantly inhabited by the Kuki-Zo community.
The demographic makeup of Manipur is characterized by the Meitei population primarily residing in the valley areas, including the capital city of Imphal, whereas the Kuki-Zos are mostly found in the surrounding hill regions.
Ongoing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities have been further complicated by emerging friction between Kuki-Zo and Naga tribal groups, introducing an additional layer of complexity to the unrest in Manipur. On Sunday, reports of tension surfaced in the Ukhrul district, prompting authorities to impose restrictions on public gatherings following an alleged altercation involving villagers from both communities.
As a member of the Meitei community, Singh's cabinet reflects an attempt to balance ethnic representation, with three ministers, including a deputy chief minister, hailing from the Kuki-Zo community, in a state marked by deep-seated divisions.
Skepticism persists within the Kuki-Zo community, with many expressing doubts about the prospects for peace.
According to Mang Khongsai, a prominent Kuki student leader, a genuine and lasting peace requires more than just an end to hostilities, citing the need for trust, justice, and sincerity in political dealings, in an interview with the BBC.
Khongsai has expressed his reservations about the ability of Singh to achieve peace, given the current state of affairs.
In Khongsai's view, Singh is tied to a political system that has so far failed to provide a viable plan for resolving the conflict, ensuring security, or addressing the key issue of separate administrations.
Glady Vaiphei Hunjan, an adviser to the Kuki-Zo Women's Forum in Delhi, argues that peace cannot be achieved by simply maintaining the existing state of affairs, implying that more fundamental changes are necessary.
According to her, effective leadership in achieving peace requires demonstrating a clear moral stance, which involves recognizing the state's shortcomings, engaging with all parties on an equal basis, and prioritizing a political solution over managing the conflict administratively.
With a population of approximately three million people and covering an area of roughly 22,327 square kilometers, Manipur is one of India's smallest states, slightly larger than Wales, spanning around 8,620 square miles.
Manipur has a longstanding history of armed insurgency, and the recent surge in violence over the past two years has led to the formation of armed militias and village volunteer groups, amid deep-seated mistrust among communities. The state has also been subject to a contentious law that grants the military extensive authority in areas deemed "disturbed".
Notwithstanding years of turmoil, Manipur has established itself as a consistent producer of world-class athletes, including Olympic weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, boxer Mary Kom, and judo champion Sushila Devi Likmabam. This achievement is often credited to the state's robust sporting culture, early introduction to sports like football, boxing, and martial arts, and community-driven clubs that provide opportunities for young athletes, a tradition that Singh was also a part of.
Filmmaker Sunzu Bachapatiyum, who belongs to the Meitei community, expresses optimism about Singh's ability to lead, indicating a sense of hope for his leadership.
According to observers, Singh's ability to build relationships with leaders from various communities is a notable asset. His capacity to secure enough legislative support to form a government indicates a level of broad acceptance, which is a positive development in the current context.
Journalist Kshetrimayum Premchand, a member of the Meitei community, believes Singh is well-positioned to contribute to the peace process in Manipur. Premchand cites Singh's track record as a transparent and effective administrator, whether in his role as a legislator or state minister.
Singh's visit to a relief camp for displaced Kuki-Zo individuals in December 2025 is seen by some as a pivotal moment in his emergence as a chief ministerial candidate. This outreach effort, unusual for a senior Meitei leader during a time of conflict, may have helped expand his appeal among Kuki-Zo lawmakers, according to analysts.
Seram Rojesh, convener of the Delhi Meitei Coordinating Committee, emphasizes that a lasting peace will depend on the disarmament of ethnic armed groups that have been involved in the violence.
Arambam Noni, an associate professor at Dhanamanjuri University in Imphal, advises Singh to prioritize dialogue and uphold the rule of law. Noni also warns against acquiescing to the Kuki-Zo demand for a separate administration, as this could create a ripple effect, encouraging other groups to make similar demands and potentially exacerbating the complex ethnic and cultural dynamics in Manipur.
Analysts note that the reinstatement of an elected government has opened up opportunities for political participation, yet underlying tensions between communities persist, even during times of stability.
According to Phanjoubam, an editor based in Imphal, the key to achieving peace lies in how the newly restored authority chooses to utilize its power – whether it focuses on fostering trust among communities or merely reestablishing bureaucratic order.
News
Hebron Mayor Speaks Out as Israel Increases West Bank Presence
Palestinians claim that Israel’s actions are limiting their involvement in decisions related to planning and development in the West Bank.
A senior Palestinian official in the West Bank has expressed concerns that Israel's recent expansion of control in the region may mark the end of the road for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, citing the significant impact on the peace process.
Asma al-Sharabati, the acting mayor of Hebron, has stated that new legislation announced by Israeli cabinet ministers will effectively exclude Palestinian authorities from decision-making processes related to urban planning and development, even in areas currently under Palestinian control.
Hebron, a city in the West Bank, is a frequent site of tensions, with Israeli soldiers stationed to protect hundreds of Israeli settlers living among Palestinians in a heavily militarized area.
On Sunday, the Israeli security cabinet approved significant changes to the division of powers in the West Bank, which was established over three decades ago under the US-backed Oslo Accords, signed by both Israeli and Palestinian leaders in 1993.
The changes include the expansion of Israeli control over municipal services in Palestinian-run areas, as well as the transfer of authority to manage so-called "heritage sites" across the West Bank, citing the need to protect water, environmental, and archaeological resources.
Israel has also announced plans to assume control over the planning authority at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, a site of great significance in Judaism, located within the Ibrahimi Mosque.
According to al-Sharabati, the new measures will enable Israel to unilaterally declare any building or site as "ancient" and take control of it, effectively bypassing Palestinian authorities in urban planning and development decisions.
Al-Sharabati stated that she had not received formal notification of Israel's plans and was instead gathering information from Israeli news sources.
A short distance from Hebron's bustling market, a heavily fortified Israeli checkpoint marks the boundary between the city and a nearby area, where Palestinian shops are closed, and streets are restricted to protect Israeli settlers.
Palestinian activist Issa Amro resides in this volatile area, known as H2, which is characterized by a complex and winding route through Palestinian homes and stony pathways.
During a visit to Amro's home, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish couple was seen picnicking under the trees outside, while a local settler emerged from a nearby house and followed the group for a short distance.
Inside Amro's house, a plaque reading "Free Palestine" is displayed, while a large Israeli flag can be seen flying over the streets below.
Amro pointed out nearby Palestinian buildings that have been evacuated due to years of tension and expanding Israeli control.
However, Amro believes that the latest changes represent a significant shift, stating that Israel is now formalizing its control through legal means.
"Previously, they were expanding without a legal basis," Amro said. "Now, they will be the law. They are changing the status from Occupied Territories to a legal dispute, effectively annexing the land without granting me, as a Palestinian, any rights."
Israel plans to begin providing municipal services to Jewish settlers in Hebron and allow private Israeli citizens to purchase land across the West Bank, a move that is prohibited under both Jordanian and Palestinian law.
Palestinians who have sold property to Israelis in the past may face risks due to Israel's planned publication of classified land registry information.
The social stigma associated with selling property to Israelis is deeply ingrained, reflecting the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Jibril Moragh, a resident of Hebron, recounted an incident 18 years ago when he refused an offer from a group of Israelis to purchase his house near the Ibrahimi Mosque.
"One of them offered me 25 million shekels, but I refused," Moragh said. "The man was willing to pay any price, and even allowed me to continue living in the house, but I would not sell to the occupation."
Over 700,000 Israeli settlers reside in the occupied West Bank and annexed East Jerusalem, territories captured by Israel from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East War, which Palestinians claim as part of their future independent state, along with the Gaza Strip.
The construction of Israeli settlements in these areas is considered illegal under international law.
The recent expansion of Israeli control over the West Bank, particularly in the aftermath of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, marks a significant shift in Israel's policies towards the region.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who oversees settlement policies, stated that the new measures aim to "deepen our roots in all parts of the land of Israel" and effectively rule out the possibility of a Palestinian state.
Zvi Sukkot, a lawmaker in Smotrich's far-right Religious Zionism party, expressed his expectation of full Israeli sovereignty over the region, emphasizing the need to protect Israel's heritage and environmental resources, even in Palestinian-run areas.
The latest changes not only undermine the agreements signed by Israel decades ago but also erode the remaining powers of the Palestinian Authority, which was slated to take over power from Hamas under Donald Trump's peace plan.
Hebron's mayor, al-Sharabati, expressed her concerns, stating that Palestinians are not protected and that institutions are failing to safeguard their rights, while the international community focuses on the Gaza Strip and its associated humanitarian crises.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called for a firm response from the US government, arguing that Israel's decision disrupts Trump's efforts in the region and violates international law.
To date, President Trump has only reiterated his opposition to Israel's formal annexation of the West Bank, without providing further comment on the recent developments.
Several countries, including the UK, have recognized a Palestinian state, and in response to Israel's assumption of civilian powers in Palestinian-controlled territory, the UK government has been asked to clarify its stance.
Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East Hamish Falconer stated that the UK government would provide further comment in the coming days, emphasizing that the decision is widely regarded as a significant mistake.
"We strongly condemn the decision and expect to see it reversed," Falconer said, echoing the sentiments of many of Israel's allies.
The expansion of Israeli control in the West Bank has continued, even as international attention remains focused on the Gaza Strip.
However, Trump's plan for Gaza relies on the support of Arab countries, many of which are demanding progress towards a Palestinian state, highlighting the interconnectedness of the region's conflicts.
Developments in Hebron and the West Bank may still have a significant impact on Trump's vision for Gaza and the broader Middle East peace process.
Additional reporting was provided by Yousef Shomali and Rebecca Hartmann.
News
Investigation Suggests ICE Agents’ Account of Minneapolis Migrant Shooting May Be Inaccurate
According to ICE chief Todd Lyons, the two officers in question were promptly placed on administrative leave.
An investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has found that two of its agents may have provided false testimony under oath regarding the shooting of a migrant in Minneapolis last month.
According to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, the two agents in question have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation into the matter.
Lyons emphasized that providing false testimony under oath is a serious federal offense, noting that charges against two individuals accused of attacking the agents were dropped on Friday.
The Department of Homeland Security initially reported that a federal officer shot a man in the leg after being attacked by three migrants on January 14, allegedly with a shovel and broom handle.
In a statement released on Friday, Lyons revealed that an investigation has uncovered evidence suggesting the two agents may have provided inaccurate testimony, with the US attorney's office actively investigating the matter.
Video evidence has contradicted the sworn testimony of the two agents, according to Lyons, who stated that the officers' statements appear to be untruthful.
If the investigation confirms the agents' statements were false, they may face termination and potential criminal prosecution upon the conclusion of the investigation.
Following the January 14 incident, the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement claiming the shooting occurred after a car chase involving a Venezuelan national who was in the US illegally, which ended in an altercation between the man and a federal agent.
The DHS statement alleged that two individuals attacked the officer with a snow shovel and broom handle while he was struggling with the Venezuelan national on the ground.
According to the statement, the officer was being attacked by the two individuals when the Venezuelan national broke free and began striking the officer with a shovel or broom stick.
The DHS claimed that the officer fired defensive shots in fear for his life and safety as he was being ambushed by the three individuals, who then fled into an apartment and were later arrested.
Shortly after the incident, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the agent was injured and receiving treatment, expressing gratitude that he survived the altercation.
US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche later released a statement on social media, criticizing the governor and mayor of Minnesota for allegedly encouraging violence against law enforcement in the wake of the incident.
Two men, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, were charged with assaulting federal officers, with Sosa-Celis having been shot in the leg during the incident.
Initially, the DHS reported that Aljorna had fled the scene in a car, but later revised their account to state that it was actually Aljorna who fled, not Sosa-Celis, and that there were only two individuals involved in the altercation, not three.
Charging documents confirmed that only two individuals were involved in the incident, contradicting the initial claim of three attackers.
A third Venezuelan man, Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez Ledezma, was also arrested in connection with the January 14 incident and was taken into custody before being flown to an ICE detention facility in Texas.
Hernandez Ledezma was later returned to Minnesota and released from ICE custody by order of a federal judge, as revealed in a court filing seeking his release.
News
Don Lemon Enters Not Guilty Plea in Connection with Minnesota Church Demonstration
A former CNN host and eight other individuals face charges related to the disruption of a church service, which was allegedly staged as a protest against immigration raids in the state.
Don Lemon, a former host at CNN, has entered a plea of not guilty in connection with his reporting on a recent protest at a church in Minnesota, where federal immigration raids had taken place.
The 59-year-old journalist faces charges of conspiracy to deprive rights and interfering with religious freedoms, specifically for allegedly using force to obstruct someone's First Amendment rights.
Lemon's arrest stemmed from an incident on January 18, when he accompanied protesters into the Cities Church in St Paul, where they claimed one of the church's pastors was involved in immigration enforcement.
During the protest, Lemon livestreamed the events, which ultimately led to charges being filed against him and eight other individuals.
On Friday, Lemon appeared in a St Paul, Minnesota courtroom, where approximately two dozen protesters had gathered to show their support, chanting slogans that included a call for the removal of Attorney General Pam Bondi.
In addition to Lemon, four co-defendants also pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
Lemon has maintained that his actions were justified, stating that as an independent journalist, he was simply fulfilling his duty to cover the protest.
Following his arrest, Lemon affirmed his commitment to continuing his work as a journalist, saying, "I have dedicated my career to covering the news, and I will not stop now."
During the hearing on Friday, one of Lemon's attorneys, Abbe Lowell, raised concerns with the judge regarding the seizure of Lemon's cellphone by investigators during his arrest in Los Angeles last month.
Lemon, along with eight other co-defendants, including another journalist, has been charged with conspiracy against religious freedom and interfering with the exercise of religious freedom at a place of worship.
The January 18 incident involved protesters interrupting a church service, chanting slogans such as "ICE out" and "Justice for Renee Good," who was fatally shot by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis.
Video footage captured the chaotic scene inside the church, which is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, as protesters and congregation members engaged in a heated exchange.
In a separate incident two weeks later, federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, in Minneapolis, marking the second protest-related death in the city, after Renee Good.
In response to Lemon's arrest, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted a statement on social media, saying that the Trump administration would not tolerate intimidation or harassment of Christians in their places of worship.
Lemon, a longtime critic of the Trump administration, was previously fired from CNN in April 2023, after 17 years with the network, following controversy over on-air comments he made about Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley.
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