Manipur Violence: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced efforts to bridge the ethnic divide between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur by increasing central forces and ensuring coordinated conflict resolution.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will soon engage in discussions with both the Meitei and Kuki communities in an effort to address and bridge the ethnic tensions in the troubled region of Manipur. He underscored the importance of coordinated approach to resolve the ongoing ethnic conflict. The Centre has been actively supporting the Manipur government in strengthening the security situation in the state, the statement said.
High-Level Meeting To Address Manipur’s Situation
At the high-level meeting, Shah was given a detailed briefing on the prevailing situation in the state by top security officials, sources said.
The home minister took stock of the situation in Manipur a day after the state’s Governor Anusuiya Uikey had called on him here. It is believed that Uikey apprised him about the law and order situation there.
Who All Attended The Meeting?
Security Advisor to the Manipur government Kuldiep Singh, DGP Rajiv Singh and Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi attended the meeting on behalf of the state government. However, Chief Minister N Biren Singh was not present at the meeting.
Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande, Army Chief-designate Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi and other senior officials were present at the hour-long meeting.
Reports of Fresh Violence
There were reports of fresh violence in capital Imphal and Jiribam recently. The Centre is said to be worried over the violence spreading to new areas like Jiribam, which has been by and large peaceful in the last one year, the sources said.
Review of Security Situation
Reviewing the security situation in Manipur, Shah said that the central forces deployment will be increased and that they should be deployed strategically to restore peace and tranquillity in the state, according to an official statement.
Action Against Violence Perpetrators
He directed that strict action must be taken as per law against the perpetrators of violence in the northeastern state.
Ensuring No Further Violence
Shah also directed to ensure that no further incident of violence take place in the state which has been witnessing ethnic clashes for over a year.
Dialogue with Meitei and Kuki Communities
The MHA will talk to both the groups, Meiteis and Kukis, so as to bridge the ethnic divide at the earliest, Shah was quoted as saying in the statement.
Instructions for Health and Education Facilities
He also instructed the chief secretary of Manipur to ensure proper health and education facilities for the displaced people and their rehabilitation.
Commitment to Safety and Security
The home minister said that the Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is fully committed to ensure safety and security of all citizens of the northeastern state.
Review of Relief Camps
Shah also reviewed the situation in relief camps, especially in respect of proper availability of food, water, medicines and other basic amenities.
Background of Ethnic Violence
Ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023 after a tribal solidarity march in the hill districts of the state to protest against the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status. Since then, over 220 people belonging to both Kuki and Meitei communities and security personnel have been killed in the continuing violence.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mainly in the hill districts.
