Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a crucial meeting on Monday to assess the security situation in Manipur, a northeastern state currently grappling with violence and unrest. The meeting was prompted by concerns raised by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat regarding the central government’s response to the turmoil in the BJP-ruled state.
Notably absent from the meeting was Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who has faced criticism for allegedly failing to quell the ongoing violence. Instead, the state was represented by Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi and advisor Kuldiep Singh, leading to speculation about the chief minister’s diminished political support within the NDA alliance.
A Union Home Ministry official hinted at possible reasons for Singh’s absence, suggesting a potential shift in support from the Centre following recent electoral outcomes where the Congress secured both parliamentary seats in Manipur, reflecting public dissatisfaction with the state government and the Centre’s handling of the crisis.
During the meeting, Shah emphasized the need for enhanced deployment of central forces in Manipur, if necessary, to restore peace and stability. The Home Ministry issued a statement outlining plans to strategically deploy these forces to effectively address the ethnic conflict that has plagued the state.
Shah also stressed the importance of a coordinated approach to bridge the ethnic divide between the Meiteis and Kukis, two major ethnic groups in Manipur. He indicated that the Home Ministry would initiate dialogue with representatives from both communities to expedite reconciliation efforts.
Apart from security measures, the Home Minister directed officials to prioritize humanitarian efforts in Manipur. This includes ensuring adequate provisions such as food, water, medicines, and other essentials in relief camps for those displaced by the violence. In addition, Shah instructed the Chief Secretary to oversee the provision of health and education facilities for the affected population to facilitate their rehabilitation.
Manipur has recently witnessed a surge in violent incidents, including the burning of a school building in T Motha near Moreh and the torching of abandoned properties in Kalinagar, Jiribam district. Last week, suspected militants attacked the security convoy of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in Kangpokpi district, resulting in injuries to a police commando.
The meeting comes in response to concerns voiced by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat during an event in Nagpur, where he highlighted the ongoing unrest in Manipur and urged swift government intervention. Bhagwat’s remarks underscored the urgency of addressing the situation promptly to restore normalcy in the troubled state.
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Criticism has mounted against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not visiting Manipur amidst the crisis. Despite previous visits by Home Minister Amit Shah, concerns remain over the lack of direct high-level engagement from the central government in resolving the unrest in Manipur.
The hour-long meeting was attended by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, outgoing Army Chief General Manoj Pande, and Army Chief-designate Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, along with other senior security officials. The discussions focused on formulating a comprehensive strategy to address the security challenges and facilitate peace-building efforts in Manipur.
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