South Asia

While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the United States, President’s Rule was imposed on the northeastern state, shaken by almost two years of interethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki. Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh, a BJP member, quits, worsening the political crisis. Peace must be restored and the needs of the population must be met, the archbishop of Imphal tells AsiaNews.

After elephants killed two people recently, the Archeparchy of Changanassery issued a circular emphasising how “daily life is becoming difficult”. Minorities are negatively impacted by exclusion from reservation policies as well as environmental and forestry legislation. A rally is scheduled for this Saturday. For Archeparch Thomas Tharayil, governments should promote the public good.

The diocese of Chilaw has sent the findings of the investigation into the sanctity of the consecrated lay woman, the first servant of God of Sri Lanka, to Rome. Bishop Don Wimal Siri Jayasuriya: ‘Even without knowing how to read or write, through her participation in the suffering of Jesus she left us a divine message’.

Taslima Nasrin, a physician and activist, went into exile in 1994 after extremist groups made threats against her. The head of Bangladesh’s interim government Muhammad Yunus denounced the incident asking police to strengthen security measures. Tensions mounted on social media in the days leading up to the opening of the event.

The new archbishop of the Indian metropolis delivered the homely at the Mass of thanksgiving with which he began his ministry this evening. “How often at the bedside of the sick we learn to hope,” he said. “We bring to the Lord, all our activities, our plans, our selves, our families, our parishes, our institutions”.

Overcrowded carriages and delays are the order of the day. The country's infrastructure is not adequate to support modern rail traffic. 72% of locomotives are over 40 years old: concerns about safety and efficiency. The new Chinese carriages, which cost 22 million dollars, are unusable. Experts: ‘Urgent action to avoid effects on the economy and commuters’.

The Federal Investigation Agency is intensifying internal controls to combat corruption. Experts warn that repressive measures alone will not stop migrants. The country continues to show serious signs of economic instability.

In the eastern Indian state shaken by violence that has claimed more than 250 lives in less than two years, Biren Singh has resigned to avoid a no-confidence motion. In recent days, the Supreme Court had asked for verification of the authenticity of an audio in which he is heard ‘claiming’ to have instigated the clashes between Meitei and Kuki. The association of tribal groups: ‘Delayed gesture, we will continue to demand a separate administration’.

The ruling party is expected to win a total of 48 seats out of 70. The AAP, in power until now, stops at 22, while Congress gets none. Turnout is expected to be 60.4% of those entitled to vote, out of a total of about 15.5 million voters. For the prime minister, another success in local elections, after the successes of recent months in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

The tools used by human traffickers are evolving from tourism to social media. The nun works through training courses, also in schools, involving teachers and headmasters and says new approaches are needed to meet the challenge. Yesterday the Pope's message on the day of prayer promoted by the Church.

Hansen's disease mainly affects the eastern and western provinces. Although with multi-drug therapy (MDT) Sri Lanka has reduced cases, it remains a ‘high incidence country’. Twelve per cent of patients are under 15 years of age, most between 25 and 45. Leprosy remains associated with strong social stigmas. Health authorities emphasise the importance of early diagnosis and raising awareness.

Released today, “Sanatani: Karma Hi Dharma" is yet another picture that risks fuelling religious tensions. According to Christian activists, the meaning of baptism is misrepresented in the film. Several communities joined the protest, remembering that violence already out broke for the same reasons in the tribal-majority state in 2008.