New Delhi, Feb 28 – Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to review the security situation in Manipur on Saturday, marking the first such high-level assessment since the imposition of President’s Rule in the conflict-ridden northeastern state, officials confirmed.
Manipur has been grappling with ethnic violence since May 2023, which has resulted in the loss of 250 lives. The upcoming security review meeting will see the participation of Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, senior officials from the state government, the Army, and paramilitary forces.
President’s Rule and Security Measures
President’s Rule was enforced in Manipur on February 13, following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The state assembly, originally set to function until 2027, remains under suspended animation.The review meeting follows a February 20 ultimatum issued by the governor, directing individuals holding illegal and looted firearms to surrender their weapons. Over the seven-day period, more than 300 arms were voluntarily surrendered, predominantly in the valley districts. This included 246 firearms handed over by the Meitei radical group, Arambai Tenggol.
Given the requests from residents in both hill and valley areas, the governor extended the deadline for surrendering illegal arms until 4 PM on March 6.
Governor’s Efforts for Stability
Since assuming office on January 3, Governor Bhalla has been actively engaging with various communities, gathering insights on restoring peace in the troubled state. He has also conducted multiple meetings with law enforcement agencies to assess the law and order situation and has issued necessary directives to security forces.Bhalla, a former Union Home Secretary, had worked closely with Amit Shah for five years until August 2024. His appointment as Manipur’s governor is seen as a strategic move by the Union Home Minister to stabilize the volatile state.
Lingering Ethnic Unrest
The unrest in Manipur traces back to May 2023, when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The ethnic strife has since continued, with efforts from the Central government to bring the opposing groups to the negotiating table yet to yield a lasting resolution.Despite multiple initiatives, peace remains elusive in Manipur, making Saturday’s security review a crucial step in the government’s ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the state.
