Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed strict action against the perpetrators of violence in Manipur and assured complete support and help of the Centre to the state government in restoring peace. Shah also assured that the government would take all measures to protect various communities in the state.
The home minister held a meeting with Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and four of his cabinet colleagues in Delhi and reviewed the security situation in the state. He also held meetings with representatives of Meitei and Kuki communities and a group of CSOs from Mizoram, the Union Home Minister said in a statement.
Shah reviewed the measures taken for restoring peace in Manipur that has witnessed violent clashes between two ethnic communities.
“The Union Home Minister urged discussion with all factions and spread the message of peace and assured that justice would be done. Amit Shah stressed on expediting process of relief and rehabilitation so as to minimise the suffering of the people,” the MHA said.
The clashes had broken out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The violence was preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. The tribals—Nagas and Kukis—constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
