Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand today called on Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla soon after returning from New Delhi, where he had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Chief Minister had reportedly rushed to the national capital following a summons by the Union Home Minister on March 31, triggering political speculation over the agenda of the high-level meeting.
Soon after his return, rumours circulated that the meeting with the Governor could be linked to a possible expansion of the state cabinet. However, sources indicated that the discussion primarily focused on the prevailing law and order situation in the state.
According to sources, the Chief Minister is understood to have briefed the Governor on recent security developments, including the possibility of raising an additional India Reserve Battalion (IRB) Mahila unit to strengthen policing capacity as assured by the Home Minister.
The meeting is also believed to have touched upon the recent escalation of tensions between Kuki and Tangkhul groups in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, as well as other incidents of violence reported in recent days.
The developments come amid the continuing ethnic crisis in Manipur, with no significant breakthrough yet in resolving the prolonged conflict between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. Movement restrictions remain in place, with Meitei residents still unable to access several Kuki-Zo dominated areas, including stretches of key national highways. In addition, the IDPs are still in relief camps.
While there has been no official statement on the outcome of the meetings in Delhi or Imphal, the back-to-back engagements have intensified political attention on the Centre’s approach and the state government’s next course of action in handling the fragile security situation.