IT News/Agency
New Delhi/ Imphal, Sept 17:
The Indian government is ramping up efforts to address the ongoing crisis in Manipur, according to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Speaking at a press conference to mark the first 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term, Shah outlined a detailed roadmap aimed at resolving the ethnic conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities.
Shah underscored the racial nature of the conflict, noting that the government is actively engaging both groups in dialogue. “There cannot be any solution until there is dialogue between the Kuki and Meitei groups,” Shah emphasized. He added that, aside from a recent three-day bout of violence, the situation has seen a relative calm in the last three months, with no major incidents reported.
A key focus of the government’s efforts is securing the India-Myanmar border, which Shah identified as a significant factor contributing to the unrest. The government has initiated a fencing project along this border, with 30 kilometers already completed. Shah confirmed that funding has been approved to fence the entire 1,500-kilometer frontier, with the aim of curbing infiltration. Additionally, the government has nullified an agreement with Myanmar that previously allowed free movement across the border. “Now, entry into India is allowed only by visa,” Shah explained, highlighting the move as a step toward stopping illegal infiltration.
To further support stability, the government has deployed Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) units at strategic locations across Manipur. Shah also announced plans to enhance access to essential commodities through the expansion of Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars, with 16 new facilities being added, half of which will serve the hill areas of the state.
The unrest in Manipur began in May 2023 during protests against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Clashes between the predominantly Hindu Meitei community, which makes up 53% of the population, and the largely Christian Kuki-Zomi and Naga tribes quickly escalated. The violence resulted in over 200 deaths and thousands being displaced from their homes. Shah expressed hope that the government’s roadmap, coupled with continued dialogue, would help bring the situation under control.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in his X account, informed that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is launching an initiative to provide commodities to the common people of Manipur at reasonable prices from Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar (KPKB). The KPKB will be opened for common people from September 17, 2024 in the 21 existing bhandars in the state. There will also be an addition of 16 new bhandars – 8 (eight) in valley and the remaining 8 (eight) in the hill areas, he asserted.
It may be mentioned that Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar (KPKB) is a welfare scheme launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2006 to benefit serving and retired police personnel and their families.
