MHA holds all-party meeting; Police Claim Situation Under Control Amidst Sporadic Incidents
Manipur Violence: All-Party Meeting Convened by MHA to Address Security Situation
24-06-2023 : While the state police insisted that although the situation remained tense, it was under control, the Union Home Ministry of India called a meeting of all parties to discuss the security situation in Manipur. Members of the BJP, Congress, Trinamool Congress, and Left, among other major groups, sent representatives to the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to talk about the persistent ethnic violence that has afflicted the state since May 3, resulting in almost 120 deaths and over 3,000 injuries.
Prominent attendees at the meeting included BJP President J.P. Nadda, former Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh from the Congress party, Derek O’Brien from the Trinamool Congress, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Singh from the NPP, and representatives from other parties such as AIADMK, DMK, BJD, AAP, RJD, and Shiv Sena. Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, Nityanand Rai, and Ajay Kumar Mishra, along with Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and Director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, also participated.
According to the Manipur police, the situation in most districts has returned to normal, with only sporadic incidents reported in a few areas. Curfew has been relaxed for varying durations in several districts, including five valley districts, Pherzawl, and Jiribam districts. Meanwhile, curfew has been partially relaxed in Tengnoupal, Churachandpur, and Kangpokpi districts, and no curfew is in effect in the remaining six Hill Districts. The police further stated that regular meetings of the security coordination committee are being conducted in every district, accompanied by patrolling, flag marches, and cordon and search operations in vulnerable areas.
The violent clashes in Manipur erupted after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. In an attempt to restore peace in the northeastern state, Home Minister Amit Shah had visited Manipur for four days the previous month, engaging with a diverse range of people.
The all-party meeting signifies a collective effort to address the ongoing violence and find a resolution to the ethnic tensions in Manipur. With curfew relaxations and intensified security measures, the government aims to restore stability and ensure the safety of the affected communities. Continued dialogues, coordination, and appropriate action by all stakeholders will be crucial in restoring peace and harmony in the region.
