Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Tuesday the creation of a comprehensive roadmap to address the ongoing issues in Manipur, emphasizing that dialogues are being held with both Kuki and Meitei groups.
In a press conference, Shah highlighted that resolving the ethnic violence requires direct dialogue between the conflicting parties. The government remains optimistic about controlling the situation and is actively engaging with local tribes.
To address the root causes of the unrest, the government has commenced fencing along the India-Myanmar border. Approximately 30 kilometers of the 1,500-kilometer border have been fenced so far. A budget for the entire fencing project has been approved. Additionally, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been deployed at strategic locations to prevent infiltration. The agreement permitting free movement between India and Myanmar has been suspended, with entry into India now restricted to visa holders.
Shah noted that while recent violence occurred over a three-day period, no major incidents have been reported in the past three months.
In response, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized Shah’s statements on social media, questioning the government’s actions and lack of high-level visits to Manipur since the violence erupted on May 3, 2023. Ramesh’s concerns included the absence of a full-time Governor, the Chief Secretary’s prolonged absence from the state, and the inactivity of local political offices.
The conflict in Manipur has resulted in over 200 deaths and displaced more than 60,000 people since May 2023. Recent calm in the state was disrupted by Kuki attacks involving drone strikes and long-range rocket fire.
