As per a statement by the ministry of home affairs, Shah conducted a holistic review of the security situation in Manipur and directed agencies to ensure that no further incident of violence takes place in the state.
The minister directed that more Central forces should be deployed, if required, and Central forces should be deployed strategically to restore peace and tranquility in the state.
“He further directed that strict action must be taken as per law against the perpetrators of violence,” the MHA said.
MHA will talk to Meiteis and Kukis
The home minister also reviewed the situation in relief camps, especially in respect of proper availability of food, water, medicines and other basic amenities. He also directed the chief secretary of Manipur to ensure proper health and education facilities for the displaced people and their rehabilitation.
Shah also underscored the importance of coordinated approach to resolve the ongoing ethnic conflict.
As per the MHA release, Shah said his ministry will talk to both the groups, Meiteis and Kukis, so as to bridge the ethnic divide, at the earliest. He said that the Central government has been actively supporting the Manipur government in strengthening the security situation in the state.
Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla, Intelligence Bureau chief Tapan Deka, Army Chief General Manoj Pande, Army Chief (Designate) Lt General Upendra Dwivedi, GoC Three Core HS Sahi, security advisor to Manipur Kuldiep Singh, Manipur chief aecretary Vineet Joshi, Manipur DGP Rajiv Singh and Assam Rifles DG Pradeep Chandran Nair joined the meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs in North Block.
The meeting comes a day after Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uike called on Shah at his office and briefed him about the situation in the north-eastern state.
Fresh violence in Manipur
Manipur has been witnessing sporadic ethnic violence since May 3 last year following clashes during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union to protest against the demand for the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category.
In fresh violence, several houses belonging to both Meitei and Kuki communities were burned by unknown miscreants in Kotlen following the murder of a person earlier this month, the Manipur police said.
Around 600 people from Manipur’s Jiribam area are now taking shelter in Assam’s Cachar district following fresh violence reported in Manipur’s Jiribam area.
RSS impact?
Notable, the meeting also comes a week after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat expressed concern over peace eluding Manipur even after one year and said the situation in the state must be considered with priority
Addressing a gathering of RSS trainees in Nagpur on June 10, Bhagwat had said: “Manipur is waiting for peace for the last one year. There was peace in Manipur 10 years ago. It felt like gun culture had finished there. But the state has suddenly seen violence”.
“The unrest either got triggered or was triggered, but Manipur is burning and people are facing its extreme heat,” the RSS chief had said, adding there is a need to get over election rhetoric and focus on problems facing the nation.
(With inputs from agencies)