New Delhi, 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.
At 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 goodwill among different communities, according to a statement from the Manipur government.
After reviewing the prevailing security situation in Manipur with the chief minister, Shah 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.
Manipur has been experiencing 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.
The restive state of 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.