Imphal, May 31 (). After reviewing the security situation in caste violence-hit Manipur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday directed the concerned security officials to deal strictly with any activity that disturbs peace in the northeastern state.
Shah, who reached Imphal on Monday night and has since held over a dozen meetings with concerned stakeholders, also visited Churachandpur, one of the districts severely affected by the caste violence that rocked the state since May 3, with less At least 75 people are killed and more than 300 are injured.
Shah later tweeted: “Reviewed the security situation in Manipur in a meeting with senior officers of Manipur Police, CAPFs and Indian Army in Imphal.” Manipur’s peace and prosperity is our top priority, and I instructed him to deal sternly with those who disturb peace.
Shah chaired an all-party meeting in Imphal on Tuesday evening and appealed to leaders of parties to help restore normalcy and communal harmony in Manipur.
He assured all the leaders that the Center was trying its best to restore peace in the state.
Shah said, peace and prosperity in Manipur is our top priority.
A senior official said that during the all-party meeting, the Home Minister informed the leaders that the five decisions taken in the cabinet meeting on Monday night would be implemented as part of the peace process in the state.
These decisions include immediate steps for restoration of normalcy and peace in the state, taking necessary action to improve the law and order situation, expediting relief measures, compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and giving a job to one Is. Family members of victims, and opening of BSNL telephone lines to dispel rumours.
During the meeting in tribal-dominated Churachandpur, Shah urged leaders to play an active role in stopping the violence, adding that a political solution would be initiated at the earliest.
Assuring a CBI probe into the violence, Shah assured them that relief of 20 tonnes of rice would be provided to tribal communities in Manipur shortly.
In the context of the demand of 10 tribal legislators (including seven from the ruling BJP) and other tribal leaders for a separate state for tribals, Shah assured the all-party meeting that Manipur’s territorial integrity would not be affected at any cost and civil society Appealed to the leaders of the State to play an active role in restoring peace in the State.
Shah held an hour-long closed-door discussion with various tribal leaders, intellectuals and prominent tribal citizens in Churachandpur to hear their views on restoring normalcy in the state.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra, Home Secretary A.K. Bhalla, Director General Assam Rifles Lt Gen Pradip Chandran Nair, Director Intelligence Bureau Tapan Kumar Deka, Director General Manipur Police P. Doungale and other officials from the central and state government were present in the meetings.
On Wednesday, Shah will visit Moreh (bordering Myanmar) and Kangpokpi, where he will hold talks with delegations of various local groups and civil society organisations.
Later on Wednesday, Shah will hold a security review meeting in Imphal.
SGK
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