New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday met victims of both Meitei and Kuki communities at relief camps in violence-hit Manipur and said the government’s focus is to ensure their safe return home. On the third day of his visit to Manipur to establish peace between warring communities, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader visited Moreh in Tengnoupal district, followed by Kangpokpi district and held extensive discussions with civil society organizations .
After visiting relief camps in Kangpokpi and meeting members of the Kuki community, Amit Shah said, “We are determined to restore peace in Manipur at the earliest and ensure their (refugees) return home.”
Visited a relief camp in Kangpokpi and met members of the Kuki community there. We are determined to restore peace in Manipur at the earliest and ensure their return to their homes. pic.twitter.com/qVshPmbxFD— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 31, 2023
The Union Home Minister later visited a relief camp in Imphal where members of the Meitei community are staying and said that his resolve is focused on bringing Manipur back on the path of peace and harmony.
In Imphal, visited a relief camp where members of the Meitei community are staying. Our resolve is focused on bringing Manipur back on the path of peace and harmony once again and their return to their homes at the earliest. pic.twitter.com/LmXQRyvnzb— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 31, 2023
In Kangpokpi, Shah met delegations of civil society organizations such as the Tribal Integration Committee, Kuki Impi Manipur, Kuki Students Organisation, Thadau Impi and prominent personalities and intellectuals, telling them that there is a need for essential supplies and helicopter services in the hilly areas. Emergency needs will be ensured at Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi.
Bring back normalcy at the earliest: Amit Shah to top Manipur officials
Amit Shah held a security review meeting with top officials in Imphal and directed them to take strict and prompt action to stop the violence.
He also directed them to recover the looted weapons to restore normalcy at the earliest.
Earlier, he had held a similar meeting in Moreh as well.
“Took stock of the security situation in Moreh (Manipur) with senior officials,” Shah tweeted.
He was accompanied by Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Kumar Deka on the visit.
Took stock of the security situation in Moreh (Manipur) with senior officials. pic.twitter.com/8bKRUA5ks1
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 31, 2023
The Home Minister is on a four-day visit to Manipur to make efforts to restore peace in the northeastern state.
Surrender weapons looted from security forces: Manipur CM urges people
Earlier on Wednesday, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh appealed to people to surrender weapons looted from security forces and warned of legal action against anyone found in unauthorized and illegal possession of arms and ammunition. .
In a signed statement, he appealed to all concerned in Manipur not to block roads or obstruct the free movement of security personnel and relief material.
Singh said such roadblocks are making it extremely difficult for security and police personnel to respond to attacks by armed groups in a timely manner.
About a month ago, caste clashes broke out in the state after a ‘tribal solidarity march’ was organized to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the hill districts.
After over a fortnight of calm, the state witnessed a sudden spurt in clashes and gunfire between militants and security forces on Sunday. So far more than 80 people have died in this violence.