Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday announced that the government is actively engaging with both the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur to ensure lasting peace and stability in the violence-hit state. Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, Shah detailed the achievements of the Modi government’s first 100 days in its third term. He acknowledged that while there had been sporadic violence in Manipur last week, the situation had largely remained calm over the past three months. “Barring three days of violence, no major incidents were reported. The situation has been stable, and I am hopeful that peace will be fully restored soon,” Shah said.
The ongoing ethnic violence between the Kuki and Meitei communities has plagued Manipur since May 2023. Shah emphasized that resolving the conflict required dialogue between the two groups. “It was ethnic violence, and without dialogue between the two communities, no solution can be found. We have prepared a roadmap and are taking all necessary steps to ensure peace,” he stated.
One of the key measures outlined by the Home Minister to address the crisis in Manipur is the fencing of the India-Myanmar border, which Shah identified as a significant factor in the region’s instability. The government has already completed fencing along 30 km of the border and has approved a budget for securing the entire 1,643 km stretch. “Work has started, and we aim to finish this at the earliest to prevent infiltration and cross-border tensions,” Shah added.
He also highlighted the government’s decision to scrap the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR), a 2018 arrangement that allowed residents living near the border to travel up to 16 km into each other’s territories without any documents. “We have ended this arrangement. Now, movement across the border is only allowed with a visa, ensuring stricter control over infiltration,” Shah said.
Touching on the broader situation in the Northeastern region, Shah pointed out that the government had concluded 11 peace agreements with various organizations, leading to over 10,900 youths giving up arms and joining the mainstream. “Only one organization remains, and we are in talks with them as well,” Shah noted.
The violence in Manipur, which erupted in May 2023, following a tribal solidarity march protesting the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status, has claimed over 220 lives. The Modi government has faced significant pressure to restore peace in the state, which has been embroiled in ethnic clashes between the hill-dwelling Kuki community and the valley-based Meiteis.
When asked about a possible visit to Manipur by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah remained tight-lipped, stating, “When the Prime Minister visits, it will be known to everyone.”
(With inputs from agencies)