Government's Pledge to Reestablish Lasting Peace in Manipur, States HM Shah; Security Review Conducted with Governor and Senior Officials
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Synopsis
Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a security review meeting on March 1 in New Delhi to address the unrest in Manipur, emphasizing the government's commitment to restoring peace. Over 250 lives have been lost in ethnic violence, and the government is taking steps to ensure law and order.
Key Takeaways
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted a security review in Manipur.
- President's Rule was imposed following ethnic violence.
- Over 70,000 individuals have been displaced.
- Governor Bhalla warns against illegal arms possession.
- Efforts to dismantle drug networks are underway.
New Delhi/Imphal, March 1 (NationPress) In an effort to bring back peace and normalcy, Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted a review of the security scenario in Manipur on Saturday. During this session, HM Shah emphasized that the Central Government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance, is wholly dedicated to restoring enduring peace in Manipur and is extending all necessary support in this endeavor.
A senior official in Imphal noted that during the meeting with high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and intelligence divisions, HM Shah assessed the security situation in Manipur, where President's Rule was enacted on February 13, just days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh's resignation.
“The Home Minister received a comprehensive briefing on the overall law and order status and the subsequent developments in the state,” the unnamed official stated.
During this meeting, HM Shah instructed that unrestricted access for citizens on all roads in Manipur be assured starting March 8. He also mandated that stringent actions be taken against anyone attempting to create disruptions.
The Home Minister further directed that the fencing work on both sides of the specified entry points along Manipur's International Border with Myanmar be expedited. He expressed that to achieve a drug-free Manipur, the entire network connected to the drug trade must be dismantled.
Attending the meeting were Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, senior officials from the Manipur government, the Union Home Secretary, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, the Deputy Chief of Army Staff, the Army Commander of the Eastern Command, the Directors General of the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Assam Rifles, as well as the Security Advisor for Manipur and senior officers from the MHA, Army, and Manipur administration.
This meeting in Delhi marked the first high-level security review conducted after President's Rule was implemented in the northeastern state, which has been facing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 3, 2023.
Over 250 individuals from various communities have lost their lives, more than 1,500 have sustained injuries, and over 70,000 have been displaced from their homes and villages due to the ethnic conflict.
Following the imposition of President’s Rule and at the Governor's recommendation, the state Assembly, which is scheduled to operate until 2027, has entered a state of suspended animation.
The security review was convened after the Governor issued a February 20 ultimatum for individuals in possession of illegal and looted arms to surrender.
The Manipur Governor extended by one week the deadline for returning looted and illegal weapons and ammunition to security forces.
He warned that “strict legal action will be enforced against anyone found possessing such arms and ammunition” after the new deadline of March 6.
Senior police officials reported that by February 28, over 645 looted and illegally-held weapons, including many sophisticated arms and a substantial amount of ammunition, were surrendered to security forces since the Governor's appeal on February 20.
In his recent appeal, Governor Bhalla stated, “The request (on February 20) has received a positive response. Upon the conclusion of the seven-day voluntary surrender deadline, there has been a demand from both valley and hill regions to extend this period. I have taken this request into account and decided to extend the deadline to 4 p.m. on March 6 for the voluntary return of such arms.”
“During this period, no punitive measures will be taken against individuals who voluntarily surrender weapons. However, anyone found in possession of illegal or looted arms after the deadline will face legal consequences as per law,” he cautioned.
Since assuming the role of governor on January 3, Bhalla has been meeting with diverse groups to gather feedback on restoring normalcy in the northeastern state.
He has also led numerous discussions in Manipur regarding the law and order situation and provided necessary directives to security forces, officials noted.
Bhalla, a former Union Home Secretary who closely collaborated with HM Shah for five years until August 2024, was specifically chosen by Shah and is believed to have been given the task of reestablishing normalcy in the unsettled state.
The unrest began following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' organized in the hill districts to oppose the Meitei community's request for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in May 2023.
Despite ongoing efforts from the central government to bring the conflicting communities together for negotiations, lasting peace remains elusive in Manipur.
–IANS
