New Delhi/Imphal, April 1 Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday, during which both leaders discussed the law and order situation in the state.
During the meeting held at the Parliament House complex around 11:30 am, Shah urged the chief minister to expedite the ongoing peace process and strengthen the growing camaraderie among different communities, according to a statement from the Manipur government.
Shah, while reviewing the prevailing security situation in Manipur with the chief minister, agreed in principle to the establishment of one Mahila India Reserve Battalion (IRB) for the state and asked Singh to submit the proposal, the statement said.
In a post on X, Singh said, "During our interaction, the Hon'ble Home Minister reviewed the prevailing law & order situation in Manipur and emphasized the need to further expedite the peace process while strengthening the spirit of harmony and mutual trust among all communities."
Singh also expressed sincere gratitude to the home minister for his preliminary approval for the establishment of a Mahila IRB, aimed at enhancing capacity in maintaining law and order and ensuring internal security.
"A detailed proposal will be submitted at the earliest in this regard," he said.
Singh, who is likely to return on Thursday, will be meeting more central leaders on Wednesday night.
Manipur has been grappling with ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which began in May 2023 following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
At least 260 people, including members of both the Kuki and Meitei communities as well as security personnel, were killed in the violence, while thousands became homeless.
Restive Manipur was placed under President's rule in February last year, which ended with Singh taking oath as the chief minister on February 4 this year.