Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday chaired a high-level review meeting in New Delhi to assess the security situation in Manipur. During the meeting, Shah directed officials to ensure the free movement of people across all routes in Manipur starting from March 8, 2025. He also emphasised that strict action should be taken against those creating roadblocks or obstructing public movement.
Fencing work on both sides of the designated entry points along Manipur's international border should be completed at the earliest. To make Manipur drug-free, the entire network involved in drug trade should be dismantled, Home Minstry directed.
The meeting began at 11:00 am on North Avenue. It was the first such high-level meeting after the president's rule was implemented in the state, which has been reeling with the ethnic strife since May 2023. The meeting was held with a focus on bringing back normalcy in the restive state and surrendering illegal and looted arms held by different groups, sources said.
The home minister took stock of the security situation in Manipur. A detailed briefing was given on the overall law and order situation in the state," sources said. The sources added that the focus of the meeting was on bringing back to the pre-May 2023 level of normalcy and on the surrender of illegal and looted arms held by different groups.
Governor Ajay Bhalla, senior officials of the Manipur government, and paramilitary forces attended the meeting in New Delhi. Earlier, a senior official said, "The home minister will review the security situation in Manipur on Saturday. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, top officials of the Manipur government, Army, and paramilitary forces will attend the meeting.”
The president's rule was imposed in Manipur on February 13 after N Biren Singh resigned as the chief minister. The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put under suspended animation. After the presidential rule was implemented, Governore Ajay Bhalla, on February 20, gave an ultimatum to everyone holding illegal and looted arms to surrender.
As a result, during the seven-day period, more than 300 weapons were surrendered by the public, primarily in the valley districts.
(With PTI Inputs)