Amit Shah says Manipur returning to normalcy, not a single life lost since June 13

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that Manipur is returning to normalcy as no life was lost since June 13.

“The situation in Manipur is slowly returning to normal. Since late night on June 13, not a single person has died in violence in the state. So far, 1,800 looted weapons have been surrendered”, Shah said after chairing an all-party meet in New Delhi to discuss the prevailing situation in Manipur.

Talking about the measures taken regarding the situation in Manipur, he further said that 36,000 security personnel are deployed in the state, 40 IPS officers and 20 medical teams have been sent to the state and the supply of all essential items including medicines is being ensured.

“Fencing work of 10 km of the Myanmar-Manipur border has been completed, tendering work for 80 km of border fencing has been completed and survey of remaining border is under way”, he added.

The meeting was called by Amit Shah to take stock of the situation in the violence-wracked state. BJP national president J P Nadda, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and CPI(M) MP John Brittas among other leaders were present in the meeting.

Violence gripped Manipur on May 3 after clashes erupted during a rally organised by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest the demand for the inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list.

The Union Home Minister also said that all political parties sensitively and apolitically gave their suggestions for restoration of peace in Manipur and the government will consider these suggestions with an open mind.

Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been constantly monitoring the situation in Manipur since day one and “guiding us with full sensitivity” to find a solution to this problem.

“The Modi government is committed to solving the Manipur problem by taking everyone together. The priority of the Modi government is that no more lives should be lost due to violence in the state”, the Home Minister added.

Shah solicited the cooperation of all the political parties to help defuse the situation and restore peace and trust among various communities in Manipur at the earliest.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president J P Nadda said that all possible steps are being taken by the central government for a quick solution to the Manipur problem.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been keeping an eye on this whole incident since day one. Manipur issue is very sensitive and needs to be handled with sensitivity. We discussed with an open mind the useful suggestions given by all political parties and assured the government will take all possible steps to solve the Manipur problem”, Nadda said.

The BJP chief also said that the issues of Manipur are rooted in many old factors which have also led to the flare-up of the present violence.

“Home Minister Amit Shah himself discussed in detail with all the different groups in Manipur for four days. The Home Minister also visited the relief camps there, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai stayed there for more than 20 days. The Modi government is making every possible effort to normalise the situation. We are confident that peace will return to Manipur very soon”, he added.

The opposition has slammed BJP and questioned the BJP government on the issue in Manipur. As Manipur is still witnessing incidents like arson since May 3, the state government has extended the ban on the internet by five more days till June 25 with immediate effect in an effort to prevent further disturbance to peace.

The trigger was provided by a Manipur High Court order directing the state to consider including the Meitei community in the Scheduled list. More than 100 people have lost their lives in the violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities.

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi said that the unprecedented violence that has devastated the lives of people in Manipur has “left a deep wound in the conscience of our nation” while appealing for peace and harmony in the state. Congress has been vocal on Manipur since the outbreak of violence started in the BJP-ruled state. (ANI)