Give-and-take as Amit Shah meets Kuki groups in Manipur

Soon after his arrival at the 36 Assam Rifles helipad, he headed to the 27 Sector, Assam Rifles at Tuibong. Along the road, several people had formed a human chain, holding up placards with messages such as “We want separate administration”, “No separate administration, no rest”, and “Separation from Manipur our only hope for survival.”

He held the first round of talks with civil society organisation leaders, student bodies, women groups and tribe leaders.

Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) spokesperson Ginza Vualzong, who was among those who met Shah, said: “He assured a permanent political solution for the tribals of the state while asking for 15 days of peace. As requested, we will maintain peace. But we have to defend ourselves if we are being attacked.”

Reviewed the security situation in Manipur in a meeting with senior officials of the Manipur Police, CAPFs and the Indian Army in Imphal. Peace and prosperity of Manipur is our top priority, instructed them to strictly deal with any activities disturbing the peace. pic.twitter.com/RtSvGFeman

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 30, 2023

Lal Ngaiteh, spokesperson of the Zomi Students Federation (ZSF), said tribal bodies put forth several demands such as imposition of President’s Rule and a separate administration.

“We also want peace. But we no longer have faith in the Manipur government. We were under the impression that Article 355 had been invoked but it turned out to be a lie,” said Ngaiteh. After about an hour-long discussion with various tribal leaders, Shah met intellectuals and prominent citizens to discuss how to bring back normalcy back to the state.

Khamsuan Mung, who attended the second meeting, said that the talking points were similar to those in the first meeting.

Had a meeting with a delegation of leaders from various political parties in Imphal, Manipur. pic.twitter.com/5WtEq48Jvf

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 30, 2023

Educationists and intellectuals also expressed concerns about the fate of thousands of students not being able to study because of the violence. They said Shah told them he would speak with the Cabinet Secretary and figure out a way to have as little disturbance as possible.

“We also brought up the matter of affiliation of our schools with the CBSE and the affiliation of colleges with central universities so that the future of students displaced from their institutions is not disturbed. The point was well taken by the Home Minister,” Mung said.

Shah asked tribal leaders not to use arms and asked them to maintain peace for 15 days. According to them, he also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking the matter seriously.

According to sources, promises made by Shah include constitution of a judicial injury commission headed by a retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; selected cases to be taken up by the CBI with no involvement of state officers; rehabilitation for loss of life and property to be transferred via direct benefit; relief materials being sent to the state; andhelpline numbers in Imphal and Churachandpur to control rumours.

Shah also assured them he would come back for three days in June and three in July. He will visit Moreh on Wednesday.

Amit Shah was accompanied by Union MoS for Home Satyanand Rai; BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra; Union Home Secretary AK Bhalla; DG of Assam Rifles Lt Gen Pradeep Chandran Nair; Director of IB Tapan Kumar Deka; DGP Manipur P Doungel and other central government officials.