Amid a demand by 10 MLAs for a separate administration for the Kuki-dominated districts, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said territorial integrity of Manipur would be protected at all costs. Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister informed that he along with his Cabinet colleagues and Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi and apprised him on the prevailing situation in the state.
At least 73 people were killed, 231 injured and 1,700 houses, including religious places, burnt in the ethnic violence that rocked the northeastern state recently.
Biren Singh said the Home Minister assured that restoring peace and normalcy in the state was his utmost priority. "Union Home Minister Amit Shah also assured that the unity and integrity of the state would not be affected at any cost," Singh further said.
The development comes after 10 tribal MLAs belonging to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi group urged the Centre to give their region a "separate administration" in the wake of the recent violence.
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The Manipur CM said during the meeting, Amit Shah assured that a joint monitoring committee, consisting of the state and Central forces, was taking steps to make militants under Suspension of Operation (SoO) return to their designated camps.
The Home Minister said they were also probing whether groups possessing guns, other than the militant groups under SoO, were involved in the violence.
The CM also apprised that Shah has sought details on the number of people affected by the recent violence and also assured their resettlement and rehabilitation.
Singh also appealed to people not to hold 'dharnas' or rallies in view of the sensitive phase the state has been witnessing since clashes broke out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The Chief Minister further said that paramilitary forces were deployed in the foothills and essential items needed for the people staying at shelter camps were being looked into.
He also appealed to the public not to believe in rumors and unverified information. The Chief Minister sought support of civil society organisations in the state government's effort to restore peace and normalcy.