Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a high-level meeting on Monday to review the escalating security situation in Manipur. The northeastern state has been grappling with ethnic strife since May last year, with the situation deteriorating further following recent incidents of violence and unrest.
High-level participation expected
Sources confirm that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, and Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, among other senior officials, will attend the meeting. The discussions aim to devise a strategy to address the “volatile” state of affairs in Manipur, which has witnessed a resurgence of protests and violent incidents.
Shah, who cancelled election rallies in Maharashtra on Sunday to focus on the crisis, has been closely monitoring the developments in Manipur. During the meeting, he is expected to issue directives to restore order and ensure public safety.
Escalation of violence
The unrest intensified over the weekend as mobs torched the residences of several political figures, including BJP legislators and a Congress MLA, in the Imphal Valley. The attacks occurred in response to the killing of three women and three children in Jiribam district.
Residences targeted on Saturday night include:
- Govindas Konthoujam, Public Works Department Minister, in Ningthoukhong
- Y Radheshyam, BJP MLA from Hiyanglam, in Langmeidong Bazar
- Paonam Brojen, BJP MLA from Wangjing Tentha, in Thoubal district
- Th Lokeshwar, Congress MLA from Khundrakpam, in Imphal East district
While security forces managed to foil attempts to storm Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s ancestral residence, the homes of these legislators were partially burnt and vandalised. None of the targeted officials or their families were present during the attacks.
Indefinite curfew and renewed violence
Authorities have imposed an indefinite curfew in parts of the state to curb the unrest. The violence began after militants, reportedly dressed in camouflage and armed with sophisticated weapons, attacked the Borobekra police station and a nearby CRPF camp in Jiribam on November 11. The attack left 10 suspected militants dead following a fierce gunfight with security forces.
Adding to the tension, six civilians, including women and children, were allegedly abducted by suspected militants in Jiribam shortly after the attack.
The fragile situation has prompted the Union Home Ministry to direct all security forces in Manipur to take necessary steps to restore peace. Armed miscreants from both Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, the primary groups involved in the conflict, have been engaging in violence, leading to significant loss of life and displacement.
Reimposition of AFSPA
In light of the escalating violence, the Central Government reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in six police station areas, including Jiribam, on Thursday. The controversial law grants extensive powers to security forces to maintain public order in disturbed regions.
The root of the conflict
Manipur’s ethnic violence can be traced back to May last year, when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts. The march opposed the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, sparking violent clashes between the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the hill-based Kuki-Zo groups.
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The conflict has since claimed over 220 lives, rendered thousands homeless, and caused widespread destruction. While efforts to bring stability have been ongoing, intermittent flare-ups, such as the recent killings and abductions in Jiribam, continue to thwart peace initiatives.
Jiribam: A new epicentre
Jiribam, a region that had largely remained untouched by the conflict, has recently become a hotspot. Tensions escalated earlier this year when the mutilated body of a farmer was discovered in a field, triggering violence. The recent killings of women and children in the district have further aggravated the situation.
Home ministry’s stance
The Union Home Ministry has issued a stern warning, stating that strict action will be taken against anyone engaging in violent or disruptive activities. The ministry has also emphasised the need for coordinated efforts between local and central forces to bring the situation under control.
What lies ahead
With the Union Home Minister personally reviewing the situation, today’s meeting is expected to play a critical role in addressing the immediate challenges in Manipur. While the reimposition of AFSPA has drawn criticism from some quarters, officials maintain that it is a necessary step to stabilise the region.
As tensions remain high, all eyes are on the Centre’s next moves to restore peace and ensure the safety of Manipur’s residents.
