NEW DELHI: In a bid to ease the tensions in the riot-hit hills of Manipur, Union Home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday visited Moreh and Kangpokpi, where he had wide-ranging discussions with civil society organisations.
Shah is on a four-day visit to the state to review the law and order situation in the state following clashes between the Meitei people of Imphal Valley and the hill people of the Kuki and Zo tribes.
Shah met delegations of the Hill tribal council, Kuki Students Organisation, Kuki Chiefs Association, Tamil Sangam, Gorkha Samaj and Manipuri Muslim Council in Moreh.
The delegates expressed strong support for the government’s initiatives to restore normalcy in the state. Union Home Minister also received a briefing on the security situation from senior officials.
In Kangpokpi, Shah met delegations of civil society organisations such as the Committee on Tribal Unity, Kuki Inpi Manipur, Kuki Student Organisation, Thadou Inpi and prominent personalities and intellectuals.
Shah assured that the supply of essential items in hill areas and helicopter services for emergency needs in Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi will be ensured.
The Home Minister also visited a relief camp in Kangpokpi and met Kuki community members. Shah said that the government is committed to restoring peace in Manipur as early as possible and ensuring their return to their homes.
Later, Shah visited a relief camp in Imphal, where members of the Meitei community are residing. He said that the government’s resolve remains focused on leading Manipur back to the track of peace and harmony once again and their return to their homes at the earliest.
The Union Home Minister also held a security review meeting with top officials in Imphal. He directed them to take stern and prompt actions to prevent violence, against armed miscreants and recover looted weapons to bring back normalcy at the earliest.
The Home Minister also visited a relief camp in Kangpokpi and met Kuki community members. “We are committed to restoring peace in Manipur as early as possible and ensuring their return to their homes,” he said.
Shah visited a relief camp in Imphal where the members of the Meitei community are residing, and the Home Minister said that our resolve remains focused on leading Manipur back to the track of peace and harmony once again and their return to their homes at the earliest.
Meanwhile, Manipur CM N Biren Singh requested the people of the state not to violate curfew restrictions and cause obstacles to the free movement of relief material.
In an appeal to the citizens, Singh said, “Such roadblocks are increasing the hardship of our already traumatised people in relief camps, including pregnant women and young children, by halting the movement of health personnel, medicine, food, milk and water meant for them.”
“Such roadblocks are also making it extremely difficult for security and police personnel to respond to attacks by armed groups on time,” CM Singh added.
“In order to save the lives and property of innocent civilians, and to assuage the hardship faced in relief camps, I appeal to the people of Manipur not to cause roadblocks and hindrances to the free movement of security personnel and relief material,” he said.
Singh further appealed to all persons concerned to return and surrender the arms and ammunition that have been snatched from armed police battalions and police stations in valley and hill districts to the nearest police station at the earliest.
Singh said legal action as per the Arms Act 1959 and Rules will be taken in case any person is found to be in unauthorised and illegal possession of arms and ammunition during combing operations by security personnel, or otherwise.