Manipur violence: Amit Shah visits Meitei and Kuki relief camps, assures early return home

At the relief camps, many are learnt to have accused the state administration of being a mute spectator while they were being attacked by members of the other community. Shah assured that justice would be done and all possible help would be provided to them, said sources.

1/8

Manipur witnessed a surge in violence over the last few days. The conflict first escalated following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' against the Meitei community's ST status demand, resulting in the loss of at least 70 lives since May 3. (Photo PTI)

2/8

Amid continued violence, Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Imphal for a four-day visit on Monday. (Photo ANI)

3/8

4/8

On Tuesday, Central and state government set forth compensation of Rs 10 lakh for victims of ethnic conflict in Manipur. (Photo PTI)

5/8

An Army operation lead to apprehension of 22 armed miscreants suspected of attempting to burn houses in Imphal. (Photo PTI)

6/8

Addressing the situaiton in Manipur, the Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan said that the Indian military is committed to maintaining peace and stability in immediate and extended neighbourhood. (Photo @HQ_IDS_India)

7/8

Meanwhile, Congress delegation led by Mallikarjun Kharge submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu urging immediate action to control violence and restore peace in Manipur. (Photo PTI)

8/8

Sources in the security establishment said the fact that many civilians were armed with weapons, mostly “looted” from armouries in Imphal, was making it difficult to quell the violence. (Photo PTI)

Some asked to be resettled in their places of residence, which they had to flee because of the violence. According to sources, Shah assured them it would be done, but may take time. He also assured that the government would help rebuild houses that were set on fire during the violence.

“Home Minister also visited a relief camp in Kangpokpi and met the Kuki community members. He said we are committed to restoring peace in Manipur as early as possible and ensuring their return to their homes,” said a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

“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,” he said during his visit to a refugee camp housing the Meiteis.

Shah is on a four-day visit to Manipur which has been in a state of turmoil since May 3 after clashes broke out between the dominant Meitei community and the tribal Kuki community. While at least 80 people are reported to have died in the violence, the two communities have continued to engage in burning each other’s houses.

“… Shah visited Moreh and Kangpokpi and had wide ranging discussions with civil society organisations. He met delegations of 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,” said the MHA statement.

Kangpokpi is a Kuki-dominated district and Moreh town is in Tengnoupal district bordering Myanmar.

In Kangpokpi, Shah met delegations of civil society organisations such as Committee on Tribal Unity, Kuki Inpi Manipur, Kuki Students Organisation, Thadou Inpi and prominent personalities and intellectuals. Shah assured that supply of essential items in hill areas and helicopter services for emergency needs in Churachandpur, Moreh and Kangpokpi would be ensured, the MHA said.

Shah was also briefed on the security situation by senior officials. “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 MHA statement said.

Shah was accompanied by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Assam Rifles DG Lt General Pradeep Chandran Nair, IB Director Tapan Kumar Deka, Manipur DGP P Doungel and other officials.