'MHA Will Talk To Kukis, Meiteis To Bridge Ethnic Divide': Amit Shah Reviews Manipur's Security Situation

Home Minister Amit Shah said that "the Ministry of Home Affairs will talk to both the groups, Meiteis and Kukis, so as to bridge the ethnic divide, at the earliest."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah attends a high-level meeting to review the security situation in Manipur on June 17. ( Image Source :PTI )

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review the security situation in Manipur. During the meeting, he said that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will talk to both the groups, Meiteis and Kukis, at the earliest, in order to bridge the ethnic divide that triggered violence in Manipur.  

As per the MHA statement, Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the "importance of coordinated approach to resolve the ongoing ethnic conflict. He said that the Ministry of Home Affairs will talk to both the groups, Meiteis and Kukis, so as to bridge the ethnic divide, at the earliest."

The meeting was also attended by the Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Chief of Army Staff (Designate) Lt. General Upendra Dwivedi, Director General of Assam Rifles,  Director General of Police (DGP) of Manipur, Union Home Secretary, Director, Intelligence Bureau (IB), and senior officials of Army and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The meeting was aimed at conducting a holistic review of the security situation in Manipur to ensure that further violent incidents do not take place in the northeastern state.

During the high-level meeting, Amit Shah stated that strict action must be taken as per law against the perpetrators of violence in Manipur, adding that forces will be increased if required.  

The home minister stated that the deployment of the forces will be done strategically to restore peace and tranquillity in the state, an official statement noted.

"The Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is fully committed to ensure safety and security of all citizens of Manipur," the statement by the MHA read, adding that the "Government of India has been actively supporting the Manipur Government in strengthening the security situation in the state."

He also directed the Chief Secretary of Manipur to ensure the displaced people get proper health and education facilities and also oversee their rehabilitation.

Shah, in the meeting, reviewed the state of the relief camps, specifically with respect to proper availability of food, water, medicines, and other basic amenities. He also stressed the "importance of coordinated approach to resolve the ongoing ethnic conflict," the statement read.

Manipur has been hit by ethnic violence for more than a year now after violence broke out on May 3, 2023 following a tribal solidarity march in the the state, protesting against the demand by majority Meitei community for Scheduled Tribe status.

Over 220 people of both both Kuki and Meitei communities as well as security personnel have lost their lives in the ongoing violence since then.